Federal-Level Apostille Service
Loan Guard Notary Services · Apostille Services
State Apostille Services for Documents Used Abroad
Professional Apostille Assistance for State-Issued and State-Notarized Documents
Need to use a U.S. document in another country? Loan Guard Notary Services assists individuals, families, professionals and businesses with state apostille processing for birth certificates, marriage certificates, diplomas, powers of attorney, business records, notarized affidavits and other qualifying documents.
State and federal documents follow different apostille procedures. We can help you identify the appropriate process.
Understanding Apostilles
What Is a State Apostille?
A state apostille is an official certificate used to authenticate certain state-issued or state-notarized documents for legal use in another country that participates in the Hague Apostille Convention.
The apostille verifies the authenticity of the public official's signature, seal or authority associated with the document. It does not certify that the information contained in the document itself is true.
Depending on the document, the apostille is generally issued by the Secretary of State or another designated competent authority in the state connected to the document.
Know the Difference
State Apostille vs. Federal Apostille
One of the most important steps is determining which government authority has jurisdiction over your document.
State Apostille
State apostilles generally apply to documents issued by a state, county, local authority or documents notarized by a commissioned notary public.
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Death certificates
- Divorce decrees
- Diplomas and transcripts
- Powers of attorney
- Notarized affidavits
- State corporate documents
Federal Apostille
Documents issued by U.S. federal agencies generally follow a federal authentication or apostille process rather than being submitted to a state Secretary of State.
- FBI background checks
- Certain IRS documents
- Certain SSA documents
- Federal court records
- Certain VA documents
- National Archives records
- Other qualifying federal documents
International Document Use
When Might You Need a State Apostille?
Apostilles are commonly requested when U.S. documents need to be presented to foreign governments, universities, courts, employers, financial institutions or other organizations abroad.
Dual Citizenship
Citizenship-by-descent applications may require apostilled birth, marriage, divorce, death or name-change records from the United States.
Marriage Abroad
Foreign authorities may request apostilled birth certificates, divorce decrees, single-status affidavits or other supporting documents before an overseas marriage.
Study or Work Abroad
Universities, licensing agencies and employers may request authenticated diplomas, transcripts, degrees or professional credentials.
International Business
Companies expanding overseas may need apostilled certificates of good standing, incorporation records, resolutions and powers of attorney.
Property & Legal Matters
Apostilles may be needed for international real estate, litigation, estate matters, powers of attorney and other legal transactions.
Family Matters Abroad
International adoption, parental consent, custody and estate matters may require authenticated state-issued or notarized documents.
Documents We Assist With
Common Documents for State Apostille
Requirements vary according to the issuing state, document type and country where the document will be presented.
Birth Certificates
Certified birth certificates are frequently apostilled for dual citizenship, immigration, marriage, residency and other international matters.
Marriage Certificates
Certified marriage records may require apostille for citizenship, immigration, name changes and recognition of marriage abroad.
Death Certificates
Certified death certificates may be needed for overseas estate, inheritance, insurance, pension and property matters.
Divorce Decrees
Court-certified divorce records may need an apostille before they can be presented to foreign governments or legal authorities.
Diplomas & Transcripts
Academic records can require special certification or notarization before they qualify for apostille processing.
Power of Attorney
Powers of attorney are commonly apostilled for international real estate, banking, business, estate and legal transactions.
Corporate Documents
Certificates of good standing, articles of incorporation, resolutions and other qualifying business records may require apostille for use overseas.
Notarized Affidavits
Single-status affidavits, consent forms, declarations and other privately prepared documents may qualify after proper notarization.
State Court Documents
Court orders, judgments and other court-certified records may require apostille before being accepted by a foreign authority.
Document Preparation
Does My Document Need to Be an Original?
The answer depends on the type of document and the requirements of the state issuing the apostille.
Vital records such as birth, marriage and death certificates generally need to be official certified copies issued by the appropriate government authority. A regular photocopy is typically not treated as a certified vital record.
Privately prepared documents such as affidavits and powers of attorney generally need to contain a valid notarization that satisfies the requirements of the applicable jurisdiction.
Identification Documents
Can a Passport or Driver's License Be Apostilled?
Depending on the purpose of the request, the receiving country's requirements and applicable state law, a notarized copy or affidavit relating to an identification document may sometimes be used in the apostille process.
Copy-certification rules vary by state and document type. Simply photocopying a passport, driver's license or state identification card does not automatically make the copy eligible for apostille.
Loan Guard Notary Services can review the request and help identify the appropriate notarization and authentication path.
International Requirements
Hague Apostille vs. Embassy Legalization
Your destination country determines whether an apostille is sufficient or whether a different authentication and legalization process may be required.
Hague Convention Countries
When the destination country accepts apostilles under the Hague Apostille Convention, the apostille certificate is generally the authentication method used to establish the document's official status for international presentation.
Non-Hague Countries
Documents intended for countries that do not use the Hague apostille system may require an authentication and embassy or consular legalization process. The steps depend on the document, jurisdiction and destination country.
How It Works
Our State Apostille Process
We help identify potential document issues before submission and guide your document through the appropriate process.
Document Review
We review the document type, issuing state, destination country and intended use to determine the appropriate apostille path.
Document Preparation
If notarization, certification or another preliminary step is required, we help identify what must be completed before submission.
Apostille Processing
The qualifying document is prepared for submission through the appropriate state apostille process.
Document Return
Once processing is complete, your apostilled documents are returned according to the delivery arrangement selected for your request.
Turnaround
How Long Does a State Apostille Take?
State apostille processing times vary. There is no single processing time that applies to every state or every document.
Turnaround may depend on the state, document type, government office workload, required preliminary certifications and whether the documents need additional authentication or legalization.
- State processing time
- Document type and issuing authority
- Notarization requirements
- Additional certifications
- Government office workload
- Mailing or courier transit
- Destination-country requirements
Avoid Delays
Common Reasons Apostille Requests Are Delayed or Rejected
Proper document preparation can help reduce avoidable delays.
Wrong Document Format
A photocopy may be submitted when an official certified copy is required.
Incorrect Notarization
Missing signatures, incomplete certificates or other notarial issues can prevent processing.
Wrong Jurisdiction
A document may be submitted to the wrong state or government authority.
Federal vs. State Error
Federal documents generally cannot be processed through a state Secretary of State apostille procedure.
Missing Certification
Certain documents may require a preliminary certification before they can be submitted for apostille.
Destination Requirements
The receiving country or organization may require a particular document version, translation or additional legalization step.
Nationwide Assistance
State Apostille Assistance for All 50 States
Loan Guard Notary Services assists clients with apostille requests involving documents originating throughout the United States.
Requirements are not identical in every state. The appropriate procedure can depend on whether your document was issued by a state agency, county clerk, court, university, corporation or notary public.
We help review your document and identify the appropriate processing path before submission.
Who We Serve
Who Uses State Apostille Services?
Individuals & Families
Assistance with citizenship, marriage, immigration, adoption, estate and other international family matters.
Students & Professionals
Apostille assistance for diplomas, transcripts, professional credentials and documents needed for studying or working abroad.
Businesses & Attorneys
Document authentication support for international business, corporate registrations, legal matters and cross-border transactions.
Frequently Asked Questions
State Apostille FAQ
Can you apostille my birth certificate?
We can assist with apostille processing for qualifying certified birth certificates. Requirements depend on the state that issued the certificate and the country where the document will be used.
Can a marriage certificate receive an apostille?
Qualifying certified marriage certificates can generally follow the state apostille process. The exact procedure depends on the issuing jurisdiction.
Can you apostille a diploma or transcript?
Academic documents may qualify after completing any certification or notarization requirements established by the applicable state.
Can a power of attorney be apostilled?
Powers of attorney are commonly apostilled for international real estate, banking, estate, legal and business transactions. Proper notarization is generally required before apostille processing.
Can you apostille an FBI background check?
An FBI background check is a federal document and follows the appropriate federal apostille or authentication process rather than a state Secretary of State process.
What if I have both state and federal documents?
This is common. For example, an international application may involve state-issued birth or marriage certificates together with a federal FBI background check. Each document follows the process associated with its issuing authority.
Do I need an apostille for every country?
No. The appropriate process depends on the destination country. Countries using the Hague Apostille Convention generally accept apostilles, while other destinations may require authentication and embassy or consular legalization.
Which state should apostille my document?
The appropriate jurisdiction generally depends on where the document was issued, certified or notarized. We can review your document before submission to help identify the correct process.
Los Angeles Apostille Assistance
State Apostille Services in Los Angeles
Loan Guard Notary Services provides apostille and notary assistance for clients in Bel Air, Brentwood, Westwood, Beverly Hills, Century City, West Los Angeles and surrounding Los Angeles communities.
Whether you are preparing documents for citizenship, marriage abroad, international education, overseas employment, international business or another legal purpose, we can help you identify the appropriate state or federal authentication process.
Start Your Apostille Request
Need a State Apostille?
If you are unsure whether your document needs a state apostille, federal apostille, notarization, authentication or legalization, contact Loan Guard Notary Services for assistance reviewing the appropriate next step.
Important Notice: Loan Guard Notary Services is a private notary and document-processing service and is not a government agency. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of State, any Secretary of State office or any other government authority. Apostilles and authentication certificates are issued by the appropriate government authority. Requirements vary according to the document, issuing jurisdiction, destination country and intended use.