Frequently Asked Questions

An apostille is simply the name for a specialized certificate, issued by the Secretary of State. The Apostille is attached to your original document to verify it is legitimate and authentic so it will be accepted in one of the countries who are members of the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention.

 Maryland Apostille Services offers a streamlined, hassle-free solution for getting your documents apostilled. Our key benefits include:

• Expert Guidance: We handle all the complexities of the apostille process, ensuring your documents meet state and international government requirements.
• Fast Turnaround: We offer rush services for clients needing quick results, making sure your documents are processed efficiently.
• Convenient International Shipping: We provide secure shipping options to deliver your apostilled documents worldwide.
• Comprehensive Services: In addition to apostille services, we offer notarization, certified translation, and embassy legalization, making us a one-stop shop for your document needs.
• Trusted Experience: Our team has years of experience assisting individuals and businesses, particularly those dealing with complex international document requirements.

By choosing Maryland Apostille Services, you save time and avoid costly mistakes in the authentication of your documents.

Document language requirements vary depending on the government entity:

• Maryland State Documents: Notarized documents can be written in another language, but the notarial wording must be in English. Signers' full names must match their government-issued identification.
• Out-of-State(Non-Maryland) Documents: Requirements vary. Please give us a call for specific state requirements.
• Federal and Non-Hague Documents: A certified and notarized English translation of the document must accompany the original document for documents being processed with the US Department of State. We offer notarized translation services!

The Hague Convention of 1961 simplifies the procedure through which a document, issued in one of the member countries, can be certified for legal purposes in all the other member countries. A certification under the Hague Convention is called an apostille.

Countries that are members of the Hague Convention require only an apostille from the Secretary of State or the US Department of State in Washington, DC for federal documents.  This list is subject to change. Click HERE for an up-to-date list of Hague countries. 

Hague Apostille Member Countries:

Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei,  Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi,  Cambodia,  Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Eswatini, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Niue, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam.

Countries that are not members of the Hague Convention will receive an authentication. Documents requested by these countries will require several steps to complete (legalization process). 

Countries not part of the Hague Convention:

Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burma Myanmar, Cambodia, Cameroon, Congo Republic, Congo Democratic, Ivory Coast, Cuba, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Libya, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Myanmar Burma, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Taiwan, Tanzania, Togo, Thailand, Turkmenistan, UAE (United Arab Emirates), Uganda, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.