Wondering what a U.S. Department of State apostille looks like? The image in this article is an example of what an apostille for U.S. Department of State looks like. It gives you a visual reference before you prepare documents for use abroad. Your own certificate may have a different layout, seal or official signature.
Read the federal signature chain
The U.S. Department of State sample is headed Apostille and refers to the Attorney General and the Department of Justice seal. It illustrates a federal signature chain, not an apostille issued by Washington State or the District of Columbia. A different federal record may involve different preparation, so this example should not be treated as a universal checklist for all federal documents.
What this certification means
An apostille certifies the origin of a public document: the signature, the signer’s capacity and, where applicable, the seal. It does not certify the document’s content. The destination and the applicable Convention relationship determine whether an apostille route is appropriate.
Before you send your document
- Identify the federal agency or court that issued your record and the certification it carries.
- Tell the reviewer the destination country and the purpose of the request.
- Ask the receiving institution about translations, document age and delivery format.
- Keep the issued certificate and all attachments together; retain a clear scan for your records.
Questions about the example
Does this example establish the preparation required for an FBI report?
No. It depicts a particular federal signature chain involving DOJ, not the preparation of every federal record. Identify the actual agency document and consult current federal instructions for that category before arranging submission.
Can I print this image and use it for my application?
No. The image illustrates a certificate associated with another record. Your request needs the appropriate certification of your own document.
Get help with your U.S. Department of State document
Miami Dade Apostille can review your document and help coordinate the appropriate certification process. Share the document type and destination to get started. We are a private document service; government authorities issue the certificates. Timing and requirements depend on the document and responsible office.
For the official authority directory and an overview of the certification routes, consult HCCH — U.S. competent authorities · U.S. Department of State — Authenticate Your Document.