When documents are sent to or used in a foreign country, they must be certified before they will be accepted. This certification is called an apostille or authentication certificate. Apostilles and authentication certificates verify signatures, stamps or seals on important documents that are used internationally. Examples include court orders, contracts, marriage certificates, birth or death certificates and educational diplomas. Some countries, including most European nations, are members of the 1961 Hague Convention and require apostilles to be recognized. Counties that are not members of the Hague Convention may require an additional federal certificate of authentication from the U.S. Department of State. Go here

Official Apostille Services for U.S. Federal Documents

If the document you need to have certified will be used in a Hague Convention member country, you must submit it for an apostille. An apostille certifies that the document is authentic and was issued by the government of the country it is being presented in. It does not certify the contents of the document nor make any changes to its content.

The Division of Official Records can also authenticate Washington state documents, but only for documents that bear the signature of a Washington state official officer or notary public and are to be used in a foreign country. An authentication certificate verifies that the notary or official signing the document has the authority to do so under the Revised Code of Washington and is doing so in her/his capacity as a notary or official.

The Division of Official Records can authenticate documents originating in other states for use in foreign countries as well. These documents will need a federal Certificate of Authentication from the Department of State in addition to a notary’s or official’s certification.