Apostille

Definition: Since most documents are only recognized in the country where they were originally issued, in 1961 a treaty was signed by many countries to provide mutual recognition of documents. The text of the Convention may be found in T.I.A.S. 10072; 33 U.S. Treaty Series (UST) 883; 527 U.N. Treaty Series (UNTS) 189, and Martindale-Hubble International Law Digest.

In the United States, an Apostille is provided by the Deputy Secretary of State of all the individual states.
Other Designated Competent Authorities In the U.S.

To get current information about obtaining the Apostille for a document, contact the state where the documents was issued. You can also put the name of the state and the word Apostille in a search engine on the Internet.

States usually charge a fee which varies from state to state. Receiving the Apostille for a document takes time, so don't put this off to the last minute if you need the Apostille in order to marry in a foreign country.

Before most U.S. states, District of Columbia or U.S. territories or possessions can affix an apostille to a copy of a birth, death or marriage certificate or divorce, you must obtain a certified copy of the document issued by the custodian of the record – the civil registrar/vital statistics office. See Where to Write for Birth, Death and Marriage or Divorce Records. Most states will not accept a photocopy certified as a true copy by a notary public or attested by you to be a true copy in a statement made before a notary. Many foreign countries will not accept notarized copies of birth, death, marriage and divorce records.
Source: U.S. Department of State

Pronunciation: uh-pos-til

Also Known As: Authentication of Signatures, Certifications, Postil

Alternate Spellings: Apostil

Common Misspellings: Apostile