International Apostille – Blog

US Department of State Apostille Processing Time During COVID-19

September 26, 2020 by admin

Do you need to apostille your documents through the US Department of State – Office of Authentications in Washington, D.C.?

Note: For the most up-to-date processing time, please visit and bookmark the following link: Apostille Processing Time

An apostille is a certificate issued by the US Department of State which authenticates the official who has signed your U.S. Federal documents. Since 1980, the United States has been a member of the Hague Apostille Convention.

What was once a four-business day turn around to obtain a U.S. Department of State Apostille has now ballooned to an unheard of 8-12 weeks with no indication that the processing time will subside this year. Since March 20, 2020, the US Department of State – Office of Authentications has closed their in-person counter service thus eliminating the quick turn-around time most people and businesses have been accustomed to.

We can estimate that the U.S. Department of State will not reopen their in-person counter service until February 2021. We believe the delays are because of the ongoing health risks related to COVID-19, limited staff, and the upcoming 2020 Presidential election.

The US Department of State requires all documents submitted to also include Form DS-4194. If you have questions on how to complete Form DS-4194, please contact our office. In an effort to help streamline the process, our office will complete this form once we receive your documents at our Washington, D.C. office.

The most common document we apostille through the US Department of State is the FBI background check. If you need to apostille your FBI background check, a good rule of thumb is to obtain a recent copy and immediately overnight or e-mail it to our office for processing. We can apostille a digital FBI background check in a PDF format or the hardcopy. Most countries will accept a background check issued within the past 90 days with an apostille. Please double check with your contact in the foreign country. We have also learned that the Consulates of Spain and Italy have been flexible in dealing with the delay of obtaining an apostille on the background check.

Here is a list of the most common documents we apostille through the US Department of State: FBI background checks, Social Security Income and Benefits Statement (SSA), US Patent and Trademark documents (USPTO), IRS Form 6166, Certificate of Free Sale (FDA), Certificate to Foreign Government (FDA), Certificate of Naturalization, and documents from the USDA and USCIS.

Obtaining an apostille can be complicated. Don’t leave this process to untrained employees or non-professionals who do not fully understand the Apostille process and the unique requirements of certain countries. Your paperwork could be rejected costing you time and money. Don’t let this happen to you!

Our staff is available Monday-Saturday from 8am to 7pm to answer your questions and provide you easy to follow-step-by-step instructions. Please call us at 1-888-810-4054 or email: support@internationalapostille.com

Click the PDF download image to get started. Our apostille service is fast, convenient, and saves you time and money.

Difference Between Apostille, Notary, and Legalization

September 12, 2020 by admin

What is the difference between Apostille, Notary Public, and Legalization?

In a nutshell, an apostille is a certificate issued by the State that authenticates the official who has signed your documents. An apostille does not authenticate the contents of the documents. A Notary Public is a public official commissioned by the State to serve as an impartial witness in performing a variety of official acts related to the signing of important documents (Example: Special Power of Attorney, Agreements, Travel Consent letter, etc…) Legalization is a term used in the process of legalizing documents for countries who are not member of the Hague Apostille Convention. For example, if you need to legalize your documents for China, they will need to be processed through the State, US Department of State in Washington DC, and the China Embassy.

To view a list of countries we can legalize documents for, click the following link: Embassy Consulate Legalization

Here is an example of the legalization process:

There are currently 117 countries who are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. In the United States, every state and the U.S. Federal Government can issue an apostille. We have provided an example of every apostille here: Apostille Examples

International Apostille can obtain an apostille for countries who are member of the Hague Apostille Convention and we can legalize documents for countries who are not. Embassy Consulate Legalization

Click the PDF download image to get started. Our apostille service is fast, convenient, and saves you time and money.

Special Power of Attorney Apostille for the Philippines

August 23, 2020 by admin

Do you need to apostille a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) for the Philippines?

On May 14, 2019, the Philippines joined the Hague Apostille Convention. Documents destined for the Philippines no longer requires the red ribbon from the Philippines Embassy or Consulate office. The apostille issued by the Secretary of State is sufficient for the special power of attorney to be accepted in the Philippines.

In order to apostille the special power of attorney, it must first be signed and notarized. Please meet with a local notary public. Once your document has been signed and notarized, go ahead and mail it to our office for processing.

We can apostille documents signed and notarized in every US state. United States Apostille

Here is an example of a Special Power of Attorney for the Philippines:

Click the PDF download image to get started. Our apostille service is fast, convenient, and saves you time and money.

Power of Attorney Apostille for India

August 15, 2020 by admin

Do you need to apostille your Power of Attorney for India?

COVID 19 Update: Because of the ongoing travel restrictions to India and that the Consulate offices do not allow walk in service, the best way for the country of India to accept your documents is to obtain an apostille.

Please note that once your power of attorney has been signed and notarized, it must then receive the apostille from the Secretary of State’s office. We can apostille documents signed and notarized in all 50 States and the District of Columbia (United States Apostille). Once you receive the documents back with the apostille, you will then need to contact the Consulate General of India for instructions on how to attest your power of attorney through the Consulate office. We can only assist you with the apostille service. International Apostille does not provide Embassy or Consulate attestation for India.

A power of attorney needs to be signed and witnessed by two individuals (with their names and addresses clearly mentioned).

In many places in India, they would easily recognize the attestation by the Indian Embassy/Consulate and hence may ask for attested copy despite the document receiving the apostille from the Secretary of State’s office. Hence, to avoid any inconvenience, please have your power of attorney apostilled and then attested by the Embassy/Consulate office.

The country of India has one Embassy in Washington DC and five Consulates in the United States. The Consulates are located in the following areas:

California (San Francisco)
Texas (Houston)
New York (NYC)
Chicago (Illinois)
Georgia (Atlanta)

Please contact the Embassy or Consulate office for instructions before you begin to process your document. You may be asked to notarize additional documentation to show proof that you are currently a U.S. resident. Common documents they will ask are:

U.S Driving license
Water or landline telephone bill displaying applicant’s address
House Lease Agreement
Bank/credit card/mobile phone statements

International Apostille
Apostille Services for India
Office Hours: 8am – 7pm Monday – Saturday
Customer Support: 1-888-810-4054
Email: India@internationalapostille.com

Click the PDF download image to get started. Our apostille service is fast, convenient, and saves you time and money.

Florida Birth Certificate Apostille

August 10, 2020 by admin

Do you need to apostille your Florida Birth Certificate?

In the State of Florida, a birth certificate is issued by the State Registrar. As of this article, the current State Registrar is Ken Jones. If you look at the sample below, you can see the signature of Ken Jones and his title. Regardless of who later replaces Ken Jones, the title of “State Registrar” needs to follow the signature. This is how you know you have the correct certificate.

There are many reasons why you would be asked to obtain an apostille on your Florida birth certificate. Are you planning to get married in another country? Would you like to obtain dual citizenship for Italy or Mexico? Have you inherited property in a foreign country?

In order for your document to be accepted in a foreign country, it must receive the apostille from the Florida state office. An apostille certifies the official who has signed your document. In the case of this document, the Florida Department of State would certify the signature of Ken Jones and attach a Florida apostille.

Here is an example Florida Birth Certificate issued by the State Registrar and signed by Ken Jones.

Processing time: 5-7 business days (Estimated)
Cost: As low as $75 for each apostille.
Free Return Shipping: FedEx priority overnight by 10:30 AM (Estimated)
Office Hours: 8am – 7pm Monday – Saturday
Customer Support: 1-888-810-4054
Email: Florida@internationalapostille.com

Our Florida apostille office is located in Miami, Florida. Our address and phone number can be found here: Miami Florida Apostille

Our Florida order forms can be downloaded here:
International Apostille – Florida Order Form (PDF Format)
International Apostille – Florida Credit Card Authorization Form (PDF Format)