In 1961 many nations joined to create a simplified method of “legalizing” documents for universal recognition. This group of nations is known as the Hague Convention. They adopted a document referred to as an apostille that is internationally recognized by all member nations. Documents sent to member nations, completed with an apostille at the state level, may be submitted directly to the member nation without further action. Documents sent to non-member nations require a certification (vs. an apostille) of the official’s signature. This is done at the state level and then needs to be transmitted to the U.S. Department of State in
Washington
D.C. and then on to the specific embassy or consulate.
Requirements for international documents:
Hague Convention Countries:
- Acknowledged before a notary public
- Notary authentication by the clerk of the county in which the notary is commissioned
- Apostilled by Secretary of State of the state in which the document is executed
Non-Hague Convention Countries:
- Acknowledged before a notary public
- Notary authentication by the clerk of the county in which the notary is commissioned
- Certified by Secretary of State of the state in which the document is executed
- U.S. Department of State will authenticate the document
- Document will be legalized by the embassy or consulate
US Apostille specializes in obtaining apostilles for three types of documents:
1- Documents issued by the Federal government: Such as FDA, Trademark, IPA.
These documents will be apostilled by the US Department of State.
Our Service fee is $45.00 per document (Includes US Department of State fee).
Documents will be certified and returned by the next business day.
2- Document issued from law offices: Such as assignment, Agreement of Incorporation and To Whom it May Concern.
These documents will be certified first from US Legalization as original documents, notarized and certified by the Clerk of the Court, then apostilled by the Maryland Secretary of State.
Our Service fee is $45.00 per document (
Includes Court and Secretary of State fee).
Documents will be certified and returned by the next business day.
3- Documents issued by the
United States District Court: Such as a judgment to be used in a foreign country.
These documents will be certified first by the Department of Justice and then apostilled by the US Department of State.
Our Service fee is $95.00 per document (Includes all fees).
Documents will be certified and returned within one week.
We do not handle personal documents (such as marriage, birth, divorce, or death certificates).
Mailing Information:
US Legalization
1615 Bay Head Rd. Annapolis MD 21409
If you are using FedEx, -DHL-, or -UPS
Please send an extra self addressed airway bill (make sure that it has your account number on it and that you have signed it). There is no need to send the envelope.
We do not accept USPS Priority Mail.
We accept regular mail, but we do not recommend or guarantee.
US Apostille is a division of US Legalization
For further assistance you may call 1-888-999-3434 between the hours of 8am-6pm EST.
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