An Apostille is a certification that authenticates the origin of a public document. It's primarily used when documents need to be presented in foreign countries that are members of the Hague Convention. Here's a breakdown of the types of documents that can typically be apostilled:   

Common Types of Documents:

• Vital Records:
  • Birth certificates   
  • Marriage certificates   
  • Death certificates   
  • Divorce decrees   
• Court Documents:
  • Court orders   
  • Judgments   
  • Other legal documents
• Educational Documents:
  • Diplomas   
  • Transcripts   
• Notarized Documents:
  • Affidavits   
  • Powers of attorney   
  • Contracts   
• Business Documents:
  • Articles of incorporation   
  • Certificates of good standing

Key Considerations:

• Hague Convention:
  • Apostilles are only used for documents going to countries that are part of the Hague Convention.   
• Public Documents:
  • An Apostille authenticates public documents. This generally means documents that have been issued by a government agency or notarized.   
• State vs. Federal:
  • State-issued documents (like birth certificates) are typically apostilled by the Secretary of State in that particular state.   
  • Federal documents are apostilled by the U.S. Department of State.   
• Notarization:
  • Many documents will need to be notarized before an apostille can be obtained.   

It's important to remember that the specific requirements can vary depending on the state and the country where the document will be used. Therefore, it's always best to check with the relevant authorities for the most accurate and up-to-date information.