10 Facts About Apostille You Need to Know

10 Facts About Apostille You Need to Know

Orange County Apostille | Trusted Apostille Services in California

If you need to send official documents overseas, you’ve likely come across the term “apostille.” But what exactly is an apostille, and why is it important? At Orange County Apostille, we help clients every day understand the apostille process and get their documents authenticated correctly and efficiently. Below are 10 key facts that everyone should know about apostilles—whether you’re dealing with a birth certificate, FBI background check, power of attorney, or a business document.

Fact #1: An Apostille Certifies a Document for International Use

An apostille is a form of authentication issued to documents for use in countries that participate in the Hague Apostille Convention of 1961. It certifies the authenticity of the signature, the capacity in which the person signing the document acted, and the identity of any stamp or seal on the document.

👉 Learn more from the U.S. Department of State – Apostille Overview

Fact #2: Only Certain Authorities Can Issue Apostilles

Apostilles are only issued by competent authorities designated by each member country of the Hague Convention. In the United States, the competent authorities are typically the Secretary of State offices for state documents and the U.S. Department of State for federal documents.

👉 Check your state authority: California Secretary of State Apostille Services

👉 For federal documents: U.S. Department of State Authentications Office

Fact #3: Not All Countries Accept Apostilles

Apostilles are only valid for use in countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. If the destination country is not a party to the Convention, your document will require legalization through a different process, including embassy or consulate authentication.

👉 View the official list of countries: HCCH Members and Apostille Convention Status

Fact #4: Some Documents Must Be Notarized First

Many personal and business documents—such as powers of attorney, affidavits, or permission letters—must be notarized before they can receive an apostille. Notarization ensures that the document is legally signed and verified before it goes through the apostille process.

👉 Learn how notarization works: National Notary Association – What Is a Notary?

Fact #5: Apostilles Cannot Be Issued for All Document Types

Not every document qualifies for an apostille. Only public documents, such as:

• Birth, death, and marriage certificates
• Court documents
• School transcripts and diplomas
• Background checks (like FBI reports)
• Notarized legal agreements

Some documents must first be certified by the issuing authority, such as a county clerk or registrar, before proceeding to the apostille stage.

👉 Examples from the source: California Department of Public Health – Vital Records

Fact #6: Federal Apostilles Are Different from State Apostilles

If your document is issued by a federal agency (like the FBI or USCIS), it must be authenticated by the U.S. Department of State. If your document is issued by a state authority, like a birth certificate from California, it will require apostille from the California Secretary of State.

👉 Federal Authentication Guide: U.S. Department of State – Federal Apostille Requirements

👉 FBI Background Checks: FBI CJIS Division – Identity History Summary Checks

Fact #7: Apostilles Do Not Expire, But the Underlying Document Might

While an apostille itself does not expire, the document it certifies might have time-sensitive use, particularly for:

• Background checks
• Business registration documents
• Court records
• School transcripts

It’s crucial to verify whether the receiving country or institution has time limits for when the apostilled document must be submitted.

👉 Apostille guidelines: U.S. Department of State FAQs

Fact #8: Apostilles Must Match the Destination Country’s Requirements

Each country can have specific rules regarding translations, formats, and supporting documents required along with the apostille. Some countries demand certified translations, additional notarization, or even double authentication for certain documents.

👉 Official guidance: U.S. Embassies and Consulates Directory

👉 For certified translations: American Translators Association – Find a Translator

Fact #9: You Can Apostille Documents from Any U.S. State

Even if you’re located in California, you can get apostille services for documents issued in any U.S. state. For example, if you were born in Texas but now live in Orange County, we can help apostille your Texas birth certificate through the Texas Secretary of State.

👉 Texas Apostille Services: Texas Secretary of State – Authentications

Fact #10: Apostille Services Can Save You Time and Avoid Mistakes

The apostille process can be confusing—especially with varying rules, processing times, and required steps. A single error (wrong document, missing notarization, outdated seal) can cause costly delays. At Orange County Apostille, we ensure:

• The right documents are submitted
• All notarizations and certifications are correct
• The process is completed quickly and securely

👉 Start your process with us today: https://orangecountyapostille.org

Common Documents We Apostille

We regularly help clients with apostilles for:

• Birth and death certificates
• Marriage and divorce certificates
• FBI background checks
• Power of attorney forms
• School diplomas and transcripts
• Business documents and corporate filings
• Adoption dossiers
• Single status affidavits

If your document isn’t listed, just contact our team. We’ll let you know exactly what’s required.

Why Choose Orange County Apostille?

✅ Same-day processing available
✅ State and federal apostille experts
✅ Mobile notary services for convenience
✅ Documents accepted from all 50 U.S. states
✅ Rush service to meet deadlines for visas, international moves, business expansion, and more

We work with embassies, the U.S. Department of State, and Secretaries of State nationwide to ensure your paperwork is accurate, timely, and ready for international recognition.

Get Started Today

At Orange County Apostille, our goal is to simplify the apostille process for you. Whether you need to send a document to Mexico, Spain, Brazil, Korea, or any other country in the Hague Convention, we’re here to help every step of the way.

📍 Visit us at: https://orangecountyapostille.org
📞 Call us: (949) 409-3339
📧 Email us: [email protected]

High-Authority Backlinks Summary

1. U.S. Department of State – Apostille Overview
2. California Secretary of State Apostille Services
3. U.S. Department of State Authentications Office
4. Hague Apostille Convention Members
5. National Notary Association – What Is a Notary?
6. California Department of Public Health – Vital Records
7. FBI Identity History Summary Checks
8. U.S. Department of State FAQs
9. U.S. Embassies and Consulates Directory
10. Texas Secretary of State – Authentications