Apostille Offices In The United States - Secretary Of State Offices USA

As an American citizen you must have your Criminal Background Check (CBC) authenticated by an Apostille Office in your home state.

The sole function of the Apostille is to certify the authenticity of the signature on the document; the capacity in which the person signing the document acted; and the identity of any stamp or seal affixed to the document.

The United States has been a member of the 1961 Hague Convention abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents since 1981. The Convention provides for the simplified certification of public (including notarized) documents to be used in countries that have joined the convention. Signatory countries have agreed to recognize public documents issued by other signatory countries if those public documents are authenticated by the attachment of an internationally recognized form of authentication known as an "apostille".

The table below is a guide only. Applicants should always confirm the process involved, including mailing address and payment methods, before visiting or mailing anything!!

Some state offices will offer a faster service if you visit them in person. Please contact the state office to determine the fee associated with the services they offer.