Apostille Services

Need to legalize documents for international use? We provide fast, reliable, and hassle-free apostille and authentication services.

For documents going to a country participating in The Hague Convention, an Apostille is an official certification that verifies the authenticity of that document and the issuing body it came from. Because of what it verifies, an Apostille is issued by the Secretary of State in the state where the document was created.

For non-Hague countries, they use what’s called an “Authentication Certificate” and embassy legalization may be required.

What Types of Documents Can Be Apostilled?

Common documents that require an apostille include:

Birth certificates
Marriage certificates
Divorce decrees
Death certificates
Power of attorney (POA)
Adoption papers
FBI background checks
Business documents (Articles of Incorporation, Agreements, etc.)

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I start the apostille process?
How long does the apostille process take?
What if I don’t have a certified copy of my document?
What if I need documents from different states?

Each document must be apostilled by the state where it was issued.
For example: A Washington birth certificate must be apostilled in Washington. An Idaho divorce decree must be apostilled in Idaho. We handle the entire process for you, ensuring each document is sent to the correct authority.

How much does it cost?

Our pricing depends on the document type, processing speed, and destination country. Below is an estimated cost breakdown:

Service	Hague Country	Non-Hague Country
State Apostille Fee	$10-$20 per document	$10-$20 per document
Our Apostille Service Fee	$100 + per document	$150 + per document
U.S. Department of State Authentication	N/A	$20 per document + $50 service fee
Embassy Legalization	N/A	Varies by country ($50-$300) + $75 service fee
Expedited Service	Not offered at this time	Not offered at this time
Shipping (FedEx/UPS)	$20-$50	$30-$75

We provide upfront pricing with no hidden fees.

What is the payment and cancellation policy?
Full Payment Required Before Processing – Clients must pay before mailing documents to prevent cancellations after the process has started.
Deposit + Final Payment Option – A non-refundable deposit may be required for large or multi-step orders.
Before Documents Are Shipped: Full refund minus processing fees.
After Receipt but Before Submission: Partial refund, minus service fees.
After Submission to Government Agency: No refunds, as the process has already begun.
Can you send the apostilled document directly to another country?
What happens if my apostille request is rejected?
Can I get an apostille for a document in a foreign language?
Can I apostille a notarized document?
What else do I need to know?
What country are the documents going to?
What types of documents? Do they require notarizations? Are they local, state, or federal documents?
Have they already been notarized? Was it done correctly? Is the notary licensed and bonded in your state?
Do the documents require translation?
How soon do you need the Apostille?

IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT SERVICE

No Guarantee of Approval: Apostille requests may be rejected due to incorrect certification, missing information, or outdated records. Clients must ensure their documents meet state requirements. Our job at St. Johns Celebrations & Events is to serve as your apostille filing agent. We are not acting as your notary. Those are two separate acts/services.
Processing Delays: Estimated timelines are not guaranteed, as state and federal agencies may experience backlogs.
Shipping Liability: We are not responsible for lost documents when standard mail is used. Clients should use FedEx/UPS with tracking.
Reprocessing Fees: If a document is rejected due to client error (wrong certification type, missing information), a reprocessing fee will apply.
Embassy Fees for Non-Hague Countries: These fees vary and must be paid before final processing.