Apostille Guide for Expats Living Abroad
Living abroad as a US expat means regularly dealing with document authentication requirements — for residency renewals, citizenship applications, employment, banking, and more. This guide covers the most common apostille needs for US expats and how to handle them efficiently from overseas.
Documents US Expats Commonly Need Apostilled
- FBI background check: Required for residency renewals, long-term visa extensions, and citizenship applications in most countries. Federal document — apostilled by the US Department of State.
- Birth certificate: Required for citizenship applications, school enrollment, and family reunification. Apostilled by the Secretary of State of the issuing state.
- Marriage certificate: Required for spousal visa extensions, name changes, and family proceedings. Apostilled by the Secretary of State of the issuing state.
- Power of attorney: Required for managing US assets, real estate, or legal matters from abroad. Must be notarized and then apostilled by the Florida Secretary of State (for Florida notarizations).
- Social Security earnings statement: Required for some foreign pension and residency applications. Federal document — apostilled by the US Department of State.
How to Get US Documents Apostilled from Abroad
You do not need to return to the US to get your documents apostilled. Miami Dade Apostille coordinates the complete process remotely:
- Send us a scan of your document by email or WhatsApp — free review
- We confirm requirements and provide a quote
- You ship the original document to our Miami office (international courier), or we obtain a certified copy on your behalf
- We handle apostille and translation
- We ship the apostilled document to your overseas address
Remote Online Notarization for Expats
If you need a document notarized — a power of attorney, an affidavit, a consent letter — Miami Dade Apostille offers remote online notarization (RON). A Florida notary public notarizes your document via secure video call. You can be anywhere in the world. Learn about RON.
FBI Background Check from Abroad
US expats can obtain an FBI Identity History Summary from abroad by submitting fingerprints through an FBI-approved channeler or through a US embassy or consulate. Miami Dade Apostille advises on the fastest method for your location and coordinates the apostille once the FBI record is received. Full FBI apostille guide.
Translation Requirements
Most countries require apostilled US documents to be accompanied by a certified translation into the local language. Miami Dade Apostille coordinates certified translation for all major languages as part of the complete expat document package.
Coordinate your expat apostille from anywhere
Send us a scan of your document for a free review. We handle everything remotely and ship to your overseas address.
Ready to move forward? Book an appointment or call us at 1-800-631-9171.