Apostille Processing
Embassy Legalization
Your Trusted Partner in Apostille and Document Legalization
What is an Apostille? An apostille is a certificate that verifies the seals and signatures of officials on public documents such as birth certificates, court orders, or any other document issued by a public authority, so that they can be recognized in foreign countries.
Do you have a document issued in the United States that needs to be used in a foreign country? Great! You have come to the right place.
Signature on Wheels Notary Services manages the entire process organizing, notarizing and arranging translations when needed, before submitting them to the Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State, and the appropriate embassy or consulate in the U.S. As facilitators our role is to help ensure everything is completed correctly the first time. Without a clear understanding of the process, even small errors can lead to costly delays, missed deadlines, and added expenses—especially when dealing with important personal or business matters
The authentication process will depend on whether the documents will be used in Hague Convention country or non-Hague country. An Apostille is used for member Hague countries. A non-Hague country requires Embassy Legalization for documents and few more steps than a Non-Hague country. Not to worry, we will guide you through the correct process to get your documented authenticated with speed and precision.
Common documents we handle:
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Marriage Licenses
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Divorce Decrees
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Birth Certificates
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Death Certificates
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Adoption Papers
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Certificate of Naturalization
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Corporate Documents
The turnaround time is based on the document type:
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General documents (document or certificates NOT issued by the Federal government) would be authenticated by the Secretary of State (typically an 5 - 8 day turnaround time).
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Government documents (document or certificate issued by the Federal government) would first be authenticated by the US Department of State(typically a 7-10 day turnaround time).
Hiring a well-trained and knowledgeable Apostille Agent will ensure your documents are prepared submitted properly.
Embassy legalization is required when your documents need to be used in a country that is not a member of the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention. These countries do not recognize the Apostille as a means to authenticating documents.
Handling documents for countries outside the Hague Convention can often be complex and time-consuming. Unlike an apostille—which is a single-step certification—embassy legalization requires multiple steps, including state authentication, U.S. Department of State authentication, and final legalization by the destination country’s embassy or consulate.
Examples of Non-Hague Countries:
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Vietnam, Egypt, UAE, Thailand, Qatar, China, Sri Lanka, Cuba, Haiti
The turnaround time is based on the document type:
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General documents (document or certificates NOT issued by the Federal government) would be authenticated by the Secretary of State, the US Department of State, and then the Embassy (typically an 11 day turnaround time).
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Government documents (document or certificate issued by the Federal government) would first be authenticated by the US Department of State, and then the Embassy(typically a 9 day turnaround time).
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School Transcripts
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Diplomas
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Vehicle titles
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IRS documents
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Criminal History records
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Power of Attorney
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FBI Background Checks
Frequently Asked Questions
An apostille certifies the authenticity of signatures and seals on public documents for use in countries that are members of the 1961 Hague Convention. It ensures your documents are recognized abroad but does not confirm the validity of the document itself. It only verifies that a document was signed by the appropriate official, his or her capacity in which they acted, and the identity of the seal placed on the document.
What are the effects of an apostille?
What is an authentication?
Authentication, or embassy legalization, is the multi-step process for non-Hague Convention countries. It often requires state, federal, and embassy stamps. We help clarify these complex requirements for our clients.
Can you help me order certified copies?
Yes. We can assist in ordering certified copies or we can provide the steps and guidance needed to order the correct certified copies of your documents. You are able to order birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees or death certificates through Vitalcheck.com.
How much do you charge for your services
Fees can vary therefore you must request a quote. Typical fees for Apostille service will start at $150
Can my document be rejected?
Yes, rejections can occur if a document is not a certified copy, has outdated signatures, or incorrect notarization. Our agents review your paperwork to catch potential issues early. We guide you at every step, but Signature on Wheels Notary does not give legal advice.