Document sequence checklist builder

How we calculated this

Public documents (civil certificates, court orders, registry extracts) go straight to the issuing office. Private papers (powers of attorney, company resolutions, most diplomas) need a notary first, because the apostille certifies the notary's seal, not your signature.

The office depends on who issued the document: a US state office for state papers, the State Department Office of Authentications for US federal papers, the FCDO Legalisation Office for UK papers, Global Affairs Canada or the designated province for Canadian papers, DFAT for Australian papers, the DFA for Irish papers, the DIA for New Zealand papers.

The destination decides the last step: a Convention member takes one apostille, any other country needs the consular chain. When you are unsure, the checklist assumes the longer chain so nothing is missing.

Method checked on 2026-10-07.

Questions

Do I translate before or after the apostille?

After. The apostille certifies the original document, and many receiving offices want the translation bound to the apostilled set. Ask the receiving office which order it wants.

Can I send a photocopy?

No. Offices work from originals or certified copies issued by the registry. A plain photocopy is rejected everywhere.

Find apostille authorities

• Apostille offices
• apostille authorities in Seoul, Seoul (3)
• apostille authorities in Jerusalem, Jerusalem (2)
• apostille authorities in Ottawa, Ontario (2)
• apostille authorities in Washington, District of Columbia (2)
• apostille authorities in Albany, New York (1)