What is an Apostille?

What Is an Apostille? If you're planning to use personal or legal documents outside the United States, you may have been told you need an apostille. But what does that really mean? At Vows & Stamps Notary Boca Raton, we help clients every day with document authentication, and we’re here to make the process easy to understand. Whether you're getting married abroad, studying in another country, or handling international business, this guide will walk you through what an apostille is, when you need one, and how to get it — stress-free.

5/14/20251 min read

A picture of two men signing documents while a notary observes the signatures.

What Is an Apostille?

An apostille is a certification that verifies the authenticity of a public document, making it legally valid in another country that is part of the Hague Apostille Convention. This international treaty, signed by over 120 countries, eliminates the need for further embassy or consulate legalization of documents.

In simple terms, an apostille ensures your U.S. documents are recognized overseas.

When Would You Need an Apostille?

You may need an apostille if you're:

Getting married internationally
Applying for dual citizenship
Studying or working abroad
Adopting a child from another country
Handling cross-border legal or business matters
Submitting immigration or visa documents

If a foreign authority or institution requests an official document from you, they may also require that it be apostilled.

Common Documents That Require Apostilles

At Vows & Stamps Notary, we assist with apostilles for a wide range of documents, including:

Birth, death, and marriage certificates
Divorce decrees and adoption paperwork
Diplomas, transcripts, and academic records
Powers of attorney
Court documents and notarized affidavits
Corporate records and agreements
FBI background checks

Not sure if your document qualifies? We’re happy to guide you.

At Vows & Stamps Notary Boca Raton, we offer apostille facilitation services — helping you gather, notarize, and submit documents correctly the first time.

Apostille vs. Notarization vs. Legalization

Notarization: Confirms the identity of the signer and the authenticity of the signature.
Apostille: Authenticates the entire document for international use (between Hague countries).
Legalization: A more complex process required for non-Hague countries (involving consulates or embassies).

We can help you determine which process your document needs based on the destination country.

Need Help with Apostilles in Boca Raton?

We’re here to make international document preparation easy and efficient.

📍 Located in Boca Raton, Florida
✅ Mobile notary services available
✅ Fast, reliable apostille assistance
✅ Expert guidance from start to finish

📞 Contact us today to get started, or visit our Contact Page to request a quote.

Vows & Stamps Notary Boca Raton — Your trusted partner for notary, apostille, and mobile signing services in South Florida.