Last verified: Oct 21, 2026
Apostille vs. authentication certificate
Both certificates confirm that the signature or seal on a US public document is genuine so another country will accept it. Which one you need depends entirely on the country where you will use the document.
| Apostille certificate | Authentication certificate | |
|---|---|---|
| Destination | Country that is a party to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention | Country not in the 1961 Hague Convention |
| After the US certificate | Generally ready to use (the apostille is the final step) | Also needs authentication by the destination country's embassy, after all US authentications |
The U.S. Department of State states: "Apostille certificates are for documents you use in countries in the 1961 Hague Convention Treaty. Authentication certificates are for documents you use in countries not in the 1961 Hague Convention Treaty." For background checks used in non-Apostille countries, it adds that "you will also need to get the authentication of the foreign embassy after obtaining all the U.S. authentications."
Who issues it
- Federal documents (signed by a US federal official): U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications.
- State documents (signed by a state/county official or a state-commissioned notary): that state's competent authority, usually the Secretary of State. For example, California's Secretary of State "provides an Apostille to authenticate California public officials' signatures on documents to be used outside the United States."
Is my country in the Hague Convention?
Check the official list of contracting parties maintained by the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH). Membership changes, so check it every time.