Send the document facts
Tell us the document type, issuing office, destination country, and deadline.
U.S. documents for use abroad
U.S. apostille service for documents going abroad.
An official record, a power of attorney and a federal document can need different steps. We check the document and destination, then confirm the work and cost before payment.
Official record needing an apostille only, with no notarization:
No payment before scope review. Wait for confirmed instructions before mailing originals.
Need notarization? The person signing can start free signer intake.
Already notarized, a mixed package, or unsure? Check the document steps.
We confirm the U.S. route
We check whether it needs a certified copy, notarization, apostille, federal authentication, or legalization.
Approve handling and delivery
Once scope is agreed, we manage the required handling, scan-back and return shipping.
What we handle
Know the work before you commit.
After reviewing the document, we coordinate U.S. apostille and authentication work for physical originals, certified copies, official records and notarized documents. The agreed work can include eligible official-record procurement, eligible online notarization on our own platform with hands-on document support, preparation and submission to the appropriate state or federal authority, scan-back and tracked FedEx or DHL return, including international delivery.
Before payment, we confirm the service scope, document count, handling, delivery and total. Government processing, our handling and carrier transit are separate parts of the timing estimate. Wait for confirmed instructions before mailing originals.
See the four details to have ready · Read the answers about originals and price
Document paths
The right path depends on what the document is.
Share the document facts first. We will confirm the required steps before asking you to pay.
Birth, marriage, court, school, and company records
Official records often need a certified copy or state-issued version before the proper state authority can issue the apostille. They may need no notarization. We obtain eligible records, including Wyoming company records, and manage the agreed apostille and delivery.
POA, affidavit, authorization, and company letters
These documents may need the correct notary act before they can go to the appropriate state authority for apostille. We review signer location, witnesses, the certificate and written receiving-office instructions before arranging the eligible notary step.
FBI, FDA, USPTO, IRS, and federal documents
Federal documents usually follow a U.S. Department of State route rather than a state path. The issuing agency, certification format and destination determine whether that route ends in an apostille or authentication and legalization.
Wet-ink signatures or completed online notarizations
Send the complete document and notarial certificate, including the notary's state and date. We review wet-ink notarized documents and eligible online notarizations before agreeing to handling. A new notarization may be needed if the existing act or certificate does not fit the required process.
DIY and official guides
Start with where the document came from.
For an official record, start with the state or agency that issued or certified it. For a notarized document, identify the notary's commissioning state. Your current location and the return shipping address do not choose the apostille authority.
- FloridaDocument preparation and official submission steps
- CaliforniaState requirements and official resources
- WyomingCompany and other eligible state documents
- DelawareState documents and certified company records
- TexasDocument source and notarization requirements
- New YorkRecord certification and state requirements
Browse the full state library · Federal documents and legalization
Use these guides for preparation or to understand the work involved. If you want Notary Geek to handle it, choose the starting step above that fits your document.
Start with four details
Give us enough information to confirm the route.
- Document: what it is and whether you already have the original, certified copy or agency-issued file.
- Source: the issuing state or federal agency; for a notarized document, the notary's state and date.
- Destination: the country or territory and receiving office, with any written requirements.
- Delivery: your deadline, return location and whether you need a scan-back.
The apostille comes from the competent state or federal authority—not from the notary. If your document needs a signature first, we can review the notarization and apostille steps together.
Need a signature first?
The person signing completes their own free intake and Persona identity check. A file, payment and booking are not required to start. The complete final document is required before the notarial session. Include any instructions about witnesses, paper originals or certificate wording.
Official record needing an apostille only, with no notarization? Send official-record apostille details.
Where it will be used
Apostille or legalization?
When the Apostille Convention applies between the United States and the destination for your document, a proper apostille completes the legalization chain for that document. Translation, document-content requirements and local filing may still need attention.
Outside that Convention path, we check the actual destination requirements. The document may need authentication followed by embassy or consulate legalization; every request does not require every stage.
Check the destination-country guide · Authentication and legalization options
Timing and shipping
Plan the return path with the apostille.
Choose domestic return, tracked DHL or FedEx international delivery, or delivery directly to a recipient abroad. Scan-back may also be available before the original is returned.
Timing depends on the issuing authority, document prerequisites, destination, and delivery choice. Government processing, our handling and carrier transit are separate parts of the estimate. Tell us your deadline before approving work, and wait for confirmed shipping instructions before mailing originals.
Electronic apostille, digital review or scan-back? These are different outputs. A scan-back helps you see the completed package; it does not replace a required original.
Current timing view
Use the dashboard for dated timing context and official-source links. We confirm the handling and delivery estimate for the agreed scope.
Official record needing an apostille only, with no notarization? Include your deadline in the request.
Before you start
Common apostille questions
Do I need to mail the original document?
It depends on the document and the receiving party's requirements. Some requests require a physical original or certified copy; others may begin with a digital review. We will tell you what is needed after reviewing the document facts.
What is included in the price?
We quote after reviewing the document facts. The agreed scope identifies the services and charges: record procurement where needed, notarization if required, preparation and submission handling, government fees, any required legalization, scan-back and shipping. Different document packages require different work, so compare the complete scope before approving a quote.
Can I replace an official record with a notarized copy?
An official certified record and a notarized statement about a copy are different documents. If the receiving office requires an official certified record, obtain that record rather than substituting a private statement. An apostille on the notary's signature authenticates that signature; it does not certify the underlying record's contents.
Can a notary issue the apostille?
No. A notary may perform a required notarial act, but the apostille is issued by the competent state or federal authority.
What if the Apostille Convention does not apply?
Include the destination country or territory, document source and any written receiving-office instructions. We identify the required authentication or legalization steps before quoting that work. See the authentication and legalization service.
Can you obtain an apostille for a record issued outside the U.S.?
A foreign government record generally needs the competent authority in its country of origin. Notary Geek's main service is U.S. documents. If your package also includes a U.S. document or a separate document someone must sign, identify each item so we can review the part we can handle.
Explore document preparation by category · Company-owner document packages
Official record needing an apostille only
Have Notary Geek handle the next steps.
If no notarization is needed, send the official-record details and deadline. We confirm the scope and cost before payment, then handle the agreed work through delivery. For a document needing notarization or an already-notarized package, check the document steps.