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State-Level vs. Federal Apostilles: What’s the Difference?
State-Level vs. Federal Apostilles: What’s the Difference?
When you need to use U.S. documents abroad, choosing the correct type of apostille is essential. Apostilles can be issued at two different levels depending on who created or authorized the document:
State-Level Apostille or Federal Apostille
We offer SAME-DAY Appointment, Pickup & Drop-off from our clients & Translations + Notary + Apostille Comb if needed.
Below is a simple guide to help clients choose the right one
U.S. Department of State
(Federal Apostille)
Required For Documents Issued by U.S. Federal Agencies:
Required For Documents Issued by U.S. Federal Agencies:
Federal apostilles apply to documents created or issued by national U.S. agencies, including:
FBI background checks
U.S. Federal Court documents
Social Security Administration (SSA) documents
U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) documents
IRS documents
USDA / FDA documents
Certificates of Naturalization (federal certified copies)
Consular Reports of Birth Abroad (CRBA)
When you need this type:
When you need this type:
If your document comes from a national-level U.S. agency, it must be apostilled by the U.S. Department of State, not a state Secretary of
Prices start at $470.00
Secretary of State
(State Apostille)
Required For Documents Issued by ANY U.S. State:
Required For Documents Issued by ANY U.S. State:
State apostilles apply to documents created, issued, filed, or notarized within a specific state, such as:
Birth certificates
Marriage certificates
Divorce decrees
Death certificates
State court documents
School records (diplomas, transcripts, enrollment letters)
Notarized documents (affidavits, POA, authorizations, letters, etc.)
State-issued business documents (articles of incorporation, certificates of good standing, corporate resolutions)
When you need this type:
When you need this type:
If the document was issued by a state agency, state court, or notarized within that state, it requires a state-level apostille from that specific Secretary of State.
Prices start at $280.00
NEED YOUR DOCUMENTS TRANSLATE?
NEED YOUR DOCUMENTS TRANSLATE?
Document translation involves converting written content from a source language to a target language, meticulously preserving its original meaning, style, and context, and often requires specialized expertise to ensure cultural appropriateness and technical accuracy.
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