# Document sequence checklist builder

Answer three questions about your document and where it is going. The tool builds the steps in order: prepare, notarize if needed, apostille or legalize, translate.

Use the tool on the [web page](https://apostilles.fyi/tools/document-steps). It works without JavaScript.

## How to use it

1. Choose what kind of document is it?.
2. Choose where was it issued?.
3. Choose is the destination in the apostille convention?.
4. Read the result.

## How it works

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.

## 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.

> **Not legal advice.** Apostille Finder lists the government offices that issue apostilles and what their official pages state. It is not legal advice, and rules, hours and fees change. Confirm every detail on the official page linked in each listing before you send a document. The source note on each record shows when we last checked it. To report a mistake, write to hello@apostilles.fyi.