Apostille

What it means

An apostille is issued by a designated authority — usually a state's secretary of state for state-issued documents — and confirms that a signature or seal is genuine.

It is used between countries that are party to the international convention on legalizing documents. For other countries, a longer consular legalization process applies instead.

It authenticates the document's origin, not its contents.

Why it matters

It comes up when somebody dies owning property abroad, or when a foreign bank or court needs a death certificate or letters of authority.

It is a step families discover late, and it can add weeks to an already slow process.

When you are likely to meet it

• When property is held in another country.
• When a foreign institution asks for authenticated documents.
• When an heir lives abroad and has to prove an entitlement.

How this varies by state

Apostilles are issued by each state's Secretary of State, and which office, what it costs and how long it takes are all state questions.

Related terms

• Ancillary probateA second, smaller probate in another state, for property located there.
• Certified copyA copy issued by the office that holds the original, carrying a seal or stamp that says so. A photocopy is not one.
• Death certificateThe official record of a death, issued by a state or local vital records office, and the document nearly every organization will ask to see.
• Letters of administrationThe court document proving somebody has been appointed to handle an estate where there is no will.
• Letters testamentaryThe court document proving that the person named in a will has actually been appointed to act.
• Vital records officeThe state or county office that registers births and deaths and issues certified copies of the certificates.

Sahvelo guidance that uses this

• Death certificates