Apostille fo the USA

 According to modern international law, there are three ways of legal recognition for a foreign state's document. The most simplified way of legalization is apostille. It is used for official papers of the Hague Convention countries (1961). Russia and the USA are among them, so the American authorities recognize the validity of Russian documents without consular certification, only through the apostille.

The procedural conditions

Apostille is a stamp on the original document, on the notarized copy or translation of the document.  Apostille confirms the authenticity of the signature and stamp of the person who certified the document. For example, the apostille on the original birth certificate confirms the signature and position of the registry office head and the seal of its issuing authority (in this case, the registry office). The apostille on a diploma’s notarized copy confirms the authenticity of the signature, authorities, and seal of a notary.

 In the USA's territory, it is not possible to legalize a Russian document. The Russian embassy staff has not their powers to do this. Only a Russian institution that issued a document, can apostille it. Therefore, this procedure has to be carried out before the departure to the USA. It should be noticed that apostille, compared to the consular legalization, is universal. There is not specifically apostille for the USA. Apostille for the USA is valid in any other country of the Hague Convention. It is necessary to translate the documents into English after apostille. You can translate your documents in Russia and the USA. But apostille is affixed only in the issuing country.

Contact us if you are already in the USA without apostilled documents. We will help you with apostille for the USA on any documents even those issued not only in Russia. Contact our managers for detailed information in any way convenient for you!