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On October 15, 1981, the United States became a member of the 1961 Hague Convention which abolished the requirement of legalization for foreign public documents. The Convention provides for the simplified certification of public (including notarized) documents to be used in countries that have joined the convention. Below are the requirements for receipt of a U.S. Department of State issued Apostille, or a State issued Apostille
 

U.S. Department of State Issued Apostille Requirements

Federally issued documents destined for use in participating Hague countries and their territories require an Apostille issued by the U.S. Department of State. Documents requiring an apostille issued by the U.S. Department of State are those which have been signed by one of the following:

• U.S. Federal Official
   
• an American Consular Officer
   
• a Military Notary, Judge Advocate (10 USC 1044a), or a foreign Consul diplomatic official registered with the State Department Office of Protocol

Note:  All certifications must include a legible signature of the official's name, title and seal of the agency.

State Issued Apostille Requirements

State issued documents destined for use in participating Hague countries and their territories should be certified by one of the officials in the jurisdiction in which the document was executed. The local state requirements are as follows:

• Officials (usually in the office of the state’s Secretary of State) must have been designated as a competent authority to issue "apostille" certifications as stated by the 1961 Hague Convention Treaty.
   
• A document with this certification does not require additional certification by the U.S. Department of State or legalization by a U.S. embassy or consulate overseas to be recognized in a participating country.

Note:

• The U.S. Department of State will not issue an apostille for state-issued documents.
   
• If your documents are intended for use in a country that does not participate in the Hague Convention of 1961, you may request an authentication certificate from the Department of State based on the authentication requirements.