Apostille Education
Federal Apostille vs State Apostille
One of the most common questions we hear is whether a document needs a state apostille or a federal apostille. The answer depends on who issued the document.
State Apostille
A state apostille is issued by the Secretary of State in the state where the document originated. It applies to documents such as:
- Birth, marriage, and death certificates
- Divorce decrees
- Notarized documents
- Corporate documents filed with the Secretary of State
- School transcripts notarized in that state
If your document was issued or notarized in California, it will likely need a California Secretary of State apostille.
Federal Apostille
A federal apostille is issued by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. It applies to documents issued by federal agencies, including:
- FBI background checks
- Federal court documents
- Documents signed by a federal official
- Certificates from U.S. government agencies
Why the distinction matters
Submitting a state-issued document to the U.S. Department of State, or a federal document to a state office, will cause delays and rejections. The right office must issue the apostille for the destination country to accept it.
How MJM Signings helps
We review each document, identify the correct issuing authority, and route it to the right office. Whether you need a California apostille, a federal apostille, or both, we guide you through the process.
Need help with your documents?
MJM Signings assists clients in Los Angeles, California, nationwide, and internationally with apostilles, authentication, mobile notarization, and business documents.