Apostille Services
Apostille Authentications provides document apostille services for individuals, families and businesses who need U.S. documents accepted abroad. We handle state-issued records, federal documents and embassy legalization for all 50 states, with offices in Oregon, Washington, Virginia and Texas. Select the service you need below, or start your order online.
FBI Background Check Apostille
Federal apostille for work visas, residency and teaching abroad.
Power of Attorney Apostille
Lets someone act for you overseas in property, banking or legal matters.
Birth Certificate Apostille
For dual citizenship, marriage abroad and immigration filings.
Marriage Certificate Apostille
For spouse visas, name changes and residency applications.
Death Certificate Apostille
For settling estates, insurance and inheritance in another country.
No Record of Marriage Apostille
Proof you are free to marry, requested by many foreign registries.
Transcript Apostille
Academic records for study, licensing or employment abroad.
Divorce Decree Apostille
Proves a prior marriage ended, often required before remarrying overseas.
Probate Will Apostille
For foreign courts and banks handling an estate.
Single Status Affidavit Apostille
A notarized statement of marital status for marriage abroad.
Business Agreement Apostille
Contracts and corporate documents for international deals.
How Our Apostille Services Work
- Tell us your document and destination country. That decides whether you need a state apostille, a federal apostille or embassy legalization.
- Send your document. Mail it, drop it at one of our offices, or book a mobile appointment in the Portland area.
- We file it with the right authority. State documents go to the Secretary of State where they were issued; federal documents go to the U.S. Department of State.
- We return the apostilled document to you or directly to your recipient overseas.
State vs. Federal Apostille: Which Do You Need?
Documents issued by a state, such as birth, marriage and death certificates, court records and notarized papers, are apostilled by that state’s Secretary of State. Federal documents, including FBI background checks, are apostilled by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. Our FBI apostille service handles the federal side for you.
Apostille or Embassy Legalization?
An apostille is accepted in countries that belong to the Hague Apostille Convention. Countries outside it, such as the UAE, Qatar or Egypt, require authentication plus legalization at that country’s embassy. We do both, and can add certified translation when the receiving country asks for it.
Apostille Services Near You
Visit us in Lake Oswego and Hillsboro, Oregon; Vancouver, Washington; Herndon, Virginia; or Houston, Texas. Not nearby? We accept documents by mail from every state. See apostille pricing or request a quote.
FBI and Federal Apostille Services
An FBI background check can only be apostilled by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. A state apostille on an FBI check will be rejected. The State Department charges $20 per document, requires Form DS-4194, and currently quotes about five weeks for requests sent by mail (we advise allowing 5+ weeks). Many visa programs, including Spain’s telework visa and South Korea’s EPIK teaching program, require the FBI check to be issued within the last six months, so timing matters. Our FBI apostille service prepares and submits your federal apostille request for you.
State Apostille Services in Oregon, Washington, Virginia and Texas
| State | Government fee per document | Where it is issued |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $10 | Secretary of State, Salem |
| Washington | $15 | Secretary of State, Tumwater |
| Virginia | $10 | Secretary of the Commonwealth, Richmond |
| Texas | $15 | Secretary of State, Austin |
Same-day or next-day apostille service is available for Oregon, Washington, Texas and Virginia documents at the same $195 service fee, depending on when we receive your documents. For Washington, the state also charges its own $150 same-day fee. Standard service is about 10 business days.
A document must be apostilled by the state that issued it. A birth certificate from Washington goes to Washington even if you live in Portland. We handle documents from all 50 states from our offices in Lake Oswego, Hillsboro, Vancouver, Herndon and Houston. Government fees are separate from our service fee; see our apostille pricing.
Apostille Pricing and Turnaround
| Service | Our fee | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| State apostille | From $195; additional documents $65 each, plus the state fee | 10 business days, depending on state delays |
| FBI apostille | $195 | 5+ weeks (regular U.S. Department of State processing) |
| Expedited FBI apostille | $390 | 10 business days |
| FBI fingerprinting + apostille | $295 | Regular processing |
| Expedited FBI fingerprinting + apostille | $490 | Expedited processing |
Notary and translation fees are separate. See full apostille pricing.
Countries That Now Accept an Apostille
130 countries and territories are now party to the Hague Apostille Convention. China joined in November 2023, Canada in January 2024, Algeria in July 2026 and Vietnam in September 2026. Documents for those destinations now need an apostille, not embassy legalization. The UAE, Qatar and Egypt still require embassy legalization, which we also handle.
Why Apostille Requests Get Rejected
- A state apostille placed on a federal document such as an FBI check
- Sending a document to the wrong state
- A document older than the receiving country allows
- A photocopy sent where a certified copy is required
- Notary errors on affidavits and powers of attorney
We review every document before filing.
Apostille Services FAQ
What is an apostille?
An apostille is a certificate that verifies the signature and seal on a public document so it is accepted in another Hague Convention country.
Which documents can you apostille?
We apostille vital records, FBI background checks, diplomas and transcripts, powers of attorney, court documents and business agreements, among others.
Can you apostille a document from any state?
Yes. We process documents issued in all 50 states and by federal agencies.
How long does an apostille take?
A state apostille takes about 10 business days, depending on state delays. A regular FBI apostille through the U.S. Department of State takes 5+ weeks, and our expedited FBI apostille takes 10 business days.
How much do apostille services cost?
Our fee for a state apostille starts at $195, with additional documents at $65 each plus the state fee. An FBI apostille is $195, or $390 expedited. Notary and translation fees are separate.
Can I get an apostille for a document from another state?
Yes. An apostille must be issued by the state where the document originated, and we file in all 50 states.
Who apostilles an FBI background check?
Only the U.S. Department of State. A state Secretary of State cannot apostille an FBI background check.
Does Vietnam accept an apostille?
Yes. Vietnam has accepted apostilles since 11 September 2026.
Last updated October 2026.
Have an Oregon document? Our Oregon apostille service handles filing with the Secretary of State in Salem, with drop-off at our Hillsboro and Lake Oswego offices.