Apostille is a legal term that comes from the French word “apostille”, which means “postscript” or “label”. An apostille is a stamp placed on an official document to certify the authenticity of that document and its contents. The United States State Department issues certificates of authentication (commonly called “apostilles”) for documents issued by U.S. government agencies, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates and divorce decrees.
The Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents, commonly known as the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents (1961 Hague Apostille Convention) is an international treaty designed to standardize the legalization of public documents so that they may be used in countries other than where they were issued.
There are two types of apostilles:
A Certificate of Authentication : A Certificate of Authentication certifies that a public document has been issued by an authority competent to issue it and that it hasn’t been altered or damaged since it was issued. If you need an apostille for your U.S.-issued public document, you’ll use this type of apostille.
A Certification : A Certification verifies that a signature, seal or stamp appearing on a document is genuine and that the public official who verified it is authorized to do so. If you need an apostille for your foreign-issued public document, you’ll use this type of apostille.
What Types Of Documents Can Be Authenticated With An Apostille?
Both types of apostilles are available for all types of public documents issued by a competent authority in any country, including but not limited to:
- Birth certificates
- Marriage licenses
- Death certificates
- Court decrees
- Divorce decrees
- Court transcripts
- Police records
- Military discharge papers
- Diplomas and academic degrees
and more.
Is It Complicated To Get An Apostille in Austin, Texas?
Yes, it’s a bit complicated. But not to worry! There are professional Austin courier and document service companies can help you get an apostille in Austin, Texas. They are experts and they know the process well. All you have to do is call them up and ask for a quote on how much it would cost to get an apostille on your documents.