Apostille Services
Get your documents authenticated for international use. We handle the entire apostille process with the Washington Secretary of State in Olympia so you do not have to.
What Is an Apostille?
An apostille is an official certification that authenticates the origin of a public document for use in another country. Established by the 1961 Hague Convention, the apostille eliminates the need for double-certification between member countries, making it faster and simpler to use your documents abroad.
In Washington state, apostilles are issued exclusively by the Secretary of State's office in Olympia. The apostille is a physical certificate attached to your document confirming that the notary public or official who signed it is a legitimate, commissioned officer of the state. Without an apostille, many countries will not accept your American documents as valid.
Common reasons people need apostilles include international adoption, overseas employment, studying abroad, foreign real estate purchases, marriage in another country, immigration proceedings, and establishing business entities overseas. If a foreign government or institution is asking for an "apostilled" or "legalized" document, this is the service you need.
Apostille Pricing
Three processing speeds to match your timeline. All prices include notarization, preparation, and submission to the Washington Secretary of State.
- Document review and preparation
- Notarization if needed
- Submission to Secretary of State
- Return shipping included
- Email status updates
- Everything in Standard
- Priority processing queue
- Expedited state filing
- Same-day pickup or FedEx
- Phone and email updates
- Everything in Rush
- Hand-delivered to Olympia
- In-person filing and pickup
- Courier return to you
- Real-time tracking updates
Prices are per document. Additional documents in the same order receive a 10% discount. Washington Secretary of State filing fee ($15) is included in all prices.
Documents We Can Apostille
Most documents issued in Washington state can receive an apostille, provided they bear a notary public seal or are official government documents. Here are the most common types we process:
Personal Documents
- Birth certificates (certified copies)
- Marriage certificates
- Divorce decrees
- Death certificates
- Name change orders
Legal Documents
- Powers of attorney
- Affidavits and declarations
- Court orders and judgments
- Adoption papers
- Background check results
Business Documents
- Articles of incorporation
- Corporate resolutions
- Certificates of good standing
- Commercial invoices
- Powers of attorney (business)
Educational Documents
- Diplomas and degrees
- Transcripts (notarized copies)
- Teaching certificates
- Professional licenses
- Recommendation letters
Countries That Accept Apostilles
Apostilles are accepted by all member countries of the Hague Apostille Convention. As of 2024, over 120 countries participate, including most of Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Oceania. Major countries include:
Notable exceptions include Canada, China, and most Middle Eastern countries, which require a different authentication process called "embassy legalization." Contact us if you are unsure whether your destination country accepts apostilles, and we will confirm and advise on the correct process.
Need a Certified Translation Too?
Many countries require translated documents in addition to the apostille. We partner with certified translation agencies covering 50+ languages. Bundle your apostille with translation and save.
Learn About Translation ServicesHow the Apostille Process Works
Contact Us
Call or email with details about your document and destination country. We will confirm the apostille is the right certification and provide a quote.
Document Preparation
Bring or mail your original document to us. We will review it, ensure it meets requirements, and notarize it if needed before submission.
State Filing
We submit your document to the Washington Secretary of State in Olympia. For same-day service, we hand-deliver it in person.
Return to You
Once the apostille is issued, we return your authenticated document via your preferred method: pickup, standard mail, or FedEx overnight.
Apostille FAQ
How long does the apostille process take?
Standard processing takes 5-7 business days from the time we submit to the Secretary of State. Rush processing takes 2-3 business days. Same-day service means we drive to Olympia and hand-deliver your document, with most same-day orders completed by end of business. These timelines do not include shipping time if documents need to be mailed to or from our office.
What documents cannot be apostilled?
Documents that cannot be apostilled include photocopies (unless notarized), documents from other states (they must be apostilled in the state of origin), federal documents (these go through the U.S. Department of State), and any document that does not bear an official seal or notary stamp. If your document was issued in another state, we can advise you on how to get it apostilled there.
Do I need to get my document notarized before the apostille?
It depends on the document type. Government-issued documents like birth certificates, marriage certificates, and court orders already bear official seals and can be apostilled directly. Private documents like powers of attorney, affidavits, and corporate resolutions need to be notarized first. We handle notarization as part of our apostille service at no additional charge.
Can I apostille a document for a non-Hague Convention country?
No. Countries that are not members of the Hague Apostille Convention require a different process called embassy or consular legalization. This involves authentication by the Secretary of State followed by certification at the destination country's embassy or consulate. We can help you with the first step and advise on the embassy process.
What is the difference between an apostille and notarization?
Notarization verifies the identity of the person signing a document and confirms they signed willingly. An apostille goes a step further. It certifies that the notary public who performed the notarization is a legitimate, commissioned officer of the state. Think of it as a certification of the certification. Foreign countries require apostilles because they have no way to verify American notary credentials on their own.