Apostille & Document Legalization Made Simple
Getting foreign paperwork accepted abroad can feel like a maze of red tape. Select your document’s country of origin below to display localized processing details, standard timelines, and your secure intake request form.
🇺🇸 US Document Legalization Parameters
Full-service processing across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Federal departments (FBI & Department of State).
Estimated Turnaround & Logistics
- State Records (Birth, Marriage, Degrees): 2 to 14 business days via localized runners operating directly in state capitals.
- Federal Records (FBI Background Checks): 10 to 12 business days using our daily counter drops in Washington, D.C.
- Certified Translations: Automatically matched with official translations signed by a European-licensed professional or *solicitador*.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a State and Federal Apostille?
Documents issued by local governments (like birth or marriage certificates, or state university transcripts) must be apostilled by that specific state’s Secretary of State. Federal documents, like FBI background checks, must be processed directly by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.
Can you order a fresh copy of my certificate if mine is too old?
Yes. If your original record is damaged, too old to be accepted, or if you only possess a digital copy, our team can work with local vital statistics offices to order an official, certified duplicate before processing the apostille.
Does my FBI background check need to be notarized?
No, federal criminal history summaries issued directly by the FBI do not require standard notarization. They go straight to the U.S. Department of State for authentication.
Will my US degree require state or federal processing?
Educational documents are processed at the state level. The degree or transcript must first be notarized by the school’s registrar before the Secretary of State will apply the apostille.
Can I send you a scan of my document to get an apostille?
For certain electronic documents (like digital FBI PDFs), yes. However, for most vital records like birth certificates, an apostille can only be legally attached to a physical, certified original or fresh duplicate.
Secure USA Document Intake
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🇬🇧 UK Document Legalization Parameters
Direct institutional processing via the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
Estimated Turnaround & Logistics
- UK Vital Records (GRO Birth/Marriage): 4 to 6 business days using our express processing channels.
- Educational Records (UK Degrees/Transcripts): Requires mandatory UK solicitor certification prior to your apostille submission. Our field agents handle this link seamlessly.
- End-to-End Tracking: Fully secure logistics from your UK address or digital file upload straight to its international destination.
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents require a solicitor certification first?
Educational documents (degrees, transcripts), corporate records, power of attorney documents, and medical certificates require a registered UK solicitor or notary public to verify them before the FCDO will apply an apostille. Vital records from the General Register Office (GRO) do not require this step.
Can you accept digital PDF versions of GRO certificates?
No. The FCDO will only accept physical, registry-issued certificates featuring the official crown watermark or dynamic signature. Digital PDF copies issued by the GRO for informational use cannot be apostilled.
How do you process ACRO criminal record certificates?
ACRO police certificates that feature an official, original signature from the issuing officer can be sent straight to the FCDO for an apostille without requiring prior solicitor verification, speeding up your timeline.
Can my educational documents be certified as true copies?
Yes. If you don’t want to part with or deface your original diploma, our UK solicitors can verify the original document with the university and issue a certified photocopy, which receives the official apostille stamp.
What happens if my document is rejected by the FCDO?
Rejections usually happen due to unauthorized signatures or outdated formats. Our team pre-screens every document before submission to catch these issues early. If a rejection occurs, we work quickly to remedy the underlying paperwork.
Secure UK Document Intake
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🇨🇦 Canadian Document Legalization Parameters
Modernized apostille processing managed under Canada’s unified framework within the Hague Convention.
Estimated Turnaround & Logistics
- Streamlined Access: Because Canada issues standard apostille stamps, you no longer have to navigate complex embassy legalization loops for European countries.
- Fulfillment Paths: Routed dynamically via Global Affairs Canada in Ottawa or through regional provincial authorities depending on where the document originated.
- Average Timelines: 2 to 4 weeks depending on current government processing backlogs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Canada now issue standard Apostilles?
Yes! Canada officially joined the Hague Apostille Convention. The old system requiring authentication followed by consular legalization has been replaced by a single, widely accepted apostille stamp.
Where is my Canadian document processed?
It depends on where it was issued. Documents from Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Quebec are usually authenticated directly by their respective provincial authorities. Other documents, along with federal records, are sent to Global Affairs Canada in Ottawa.
Can an RCMP criminal check be apostilled from an electronic file?
Yes. Certified criminal record checks based on fingerprints issued by the RCMP in Ottawa are signed digitally and can be processed directly via our federal intake line.
Are wallet-sized birth certificates accepted for international use?
Generally, no. Most overseas immigration and legal departments require the “Long-Form” (or large format) birth certificate because it displays complete parental information. We strongly advise using long-form certificates.
Can a Canadian Notary certify documents from any province?
No, notarization must occur within the specific province where the document will be authenticated. Our wide local network connects your documents to a notary licensed in the proper jurisdiction.
Secure Canada Document Intake
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