Quick Summary
The type of apostille you need depends on who issued the document, not where you live.
State Apostilles (Secretary of State)
Used for documents issued by a U.S. state, such as:
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Divorce records
- Notarized affidavits
Each state sets its own rules and processing times.
Federal Apostilles (U.S. Department of State)
Used for documents issued by the federal government, including:
- FBI background checks
- Federal court records
- Certificates of naturalization (copies)
- Federal agency letters
Federal apostilles typically take longer.
Why This Matters
Submitting a document to the wrong authority means:
- Rejection
- Lost time
- Missed deadlines
👉 How Long Does the Apostille Process Take?
How do I know which apostille I need? Check who issued the document. State-issued → Secretary of State. Federal-issued → U.S. Department of State.
Can I get both at once? Yes, if you have both state and federal documents, you'll submit to each authority separately.
Not sure which type you need? See our apostille services or get in touch and we'll help you figure it out.
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