What is an Apostille?
An apostille is a certification that an official document, such as a certified copy of a company’s Articles of Incorporation, is genuine. Apostilles can be obtained through a secretary of state. Typically apostilles are not necessary for domestic transactions, however, if you are trying to do business abroad in a different country, you will likely be required to obtain an apostille for your documents.
How to Obtain an Apostille Certification:
- Obtain a Certified Copy of Your Formation Documents
You will need to begin by obtaining a certified copy of your Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Organization from the secretary of state. In some states, you can order an apostille and certified copy at the same time.
- Order the Apostille
If your state doesn’t allow you to order an apostille in conjunction with the certified copy, you will have to order separately. Once the certified copy arrives, mail the certified copies to the correct state government agency (see below) and they will process the filing in the order it is received.
- Pay the Apostille Fee
Apostille fees vary widely by state, some charge $5 per page, others charge $25 per document. To find what each state charges, see the tables below.
Apostille Information by State