What Documents Need an Apostille? A Comprehensive Guide

Not every document needs an apostille — but when one is required, the consequences of not having it can be severe: rejected visa applications, delayed legal proceedings, and costly document re-procurement. This guide covers every major document category that commonly requires an apostille.

Vital Records

• Birth certificates: Required for foreign residency, citizenship applications, school enrollment abroad, dual nationality, and family reunification
• Marriage certificates: Required for spousal visa applications, name changes in foreign countries, and foreign family proceedings
• Death certificates: Required for foreign estate proceedings, pension claims, and insurance matters
• Divorce decrees: Required to prove single status for remarriage abroad, and for foreign legal proceedings

Educational Documents

• Diplomas: Required for foreign professional license recognition, employment, and graduate school applications abroad. Must be notarized before apostille.
• Transcripts: Required for foreign university applications and professional credential evaluations. Must be notarized before apostille.
• Professional certifications: Required for foreign professional license recognition. Must be notarized before apostille.

Legal Documents

• Powers of attorney: Required for managing assets, real estate, or legal matters in a foreign country. Must be notarized before apostille.
• Affidavits: Required for foreign legal proceedings and declarations. Must be notarized before apostille.
• Court orders and judgments: Required for enforcing US court orders in foreign countries.

Background Checks

• FBI Identity History Summary: Required for foreign residency, long-term visas, digital nomad visas, and citizenship applications in most countries. Federal document — apostilled by the US Department of State.
• State criminal history records: Some countries accept state-level background checks. Apostilled by the Secretary of State of the issuing state.

Corporate Documents

• Certificates of good standing: Required for foreign business registration and banking
• Articles of incorporation: Required for foreign business registration
• Corporate resolutions: Must be notarized before apostille

Medical Documents

Medical records, health certificates, and vaccination records can be apostilled after notarization. Required for some foreign residency applications and international medical proceedings. Full medical records apostille guide.