If you need to use a federal decree abroad, it may be necessary to have the document authenticated. This process is called apostille. It is a certificate that assures that the signature on the document is genuine. The apostille is issued by the office or government agency that has signed the document. Apostilles are only needed for documents that are signed by a public official or government clerk, such as a court clerk. Go here :https://apostille-usa.com/apostille-federal-documents/

The Department of State does not authenticate private documents or copies of documents. However, we do offer a service called the “Authentication” which verifies the authenticity of the signature on the document. You will need to bring the document in person and pay a fee for each authentication. The Authentication will need to be attached to the original document and contains the notary’s commission number, name, the date of expiry, and an impression of the notary seal/stamp.

Apostille for Federal Decrees: Legalization Process Explained Again

In order to determine whether you require an apostille for your document or just an Authentication, the country where it is going should be known. Apostilles are only valid for countries that are members of the 1961 Hague Convention, and Authentications are for documents going to countries that are not members.

When requesting an apostille for your document, you should write to the embassy or consulate in the foreign country where it is to be used. This will allow them to provide you with specific instructions. A cover letter should be included with your request, clearly stating the purpose of the apostille and providing information about the document(s). This will help speed up processing of your request.