The Department of State, Authentications Office is responsible for signing and issuing certificates under the Seal of the U.S. Department of State (22 CFR, Part 131) providing document authentication services to U.S. citizens and foreign nationals. Various seals are placed and/or attached on the document before such certificates can be issued. Certificates are issued with the impression of the U.S. Department State seal. The Office of Authentications will not authenticate documents that are contrary to public policy or are for an improper or unlawful purpose.
Apostilles. Since October 15, 1981, the United States has been part of the 1961 Hague Convention abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents. The Convention provides for the simplified certification of public (including notarized) documents to be used in countries that have joined the convention. Documents destined for use in participating countries and their territories should be certified by one of the officials in the jurisdiction in which the document has been executed. Said official (usually in the office of the state’s Secretary of State or counterpart) must have been designated as competent to issue certifications by "apostille" as provided for by the 1961 Hague Convention. A document with this certification does not require additional certification by the U.S. Department of State or legalization by a U.S. embassy or consulate overseas to be recognized in a participating country. Please note that the U.S. Department of State will not issue an apostille for state-issued documents. If your documents are intended for use in a country that does not participate in the Hague Convention of 1961, you may request an authentication certificate from the State Department.
Documents requiring certifications with an apostille by the U.S. Department of State are those that have been signed by a U.S. federal official with the official Seal of that agency or American Consular Officer, a Military Notary (10 USC 1044a) or a foreign Consul or diplomatic official registered with the State Department Office of Protocol). Note: These documents must include the official's title and his/her signature must be legible.
