FEDERAL & STATE APOSTILLE · ANY US DOCUMENT

Apostille any US document, sealed and on its way.

We apostille any US document — FBI Background Checks through the US Department of State and birth certificates, diplomas, transcripts, and corporate documents through each Secretary of State. Digital and physical copies, transparent pricing, no surprises, fully handled.

Start your apostille requestSee services
  • ✓ FBI Background Checks
  • ✓ Birth & marriage certs
  • ✓ Diplomas & transcripts
  • ✓ Corporate documents
  • ✓ Digital copy delivery
  • ✓ Physical copy shipped
SEALWARD · APOSTILLEHague · 1961
Certified & sealed

Federal & State Apostille Services

US documents follow two different authentication paths depending on who issued them. We handle both — and deliver your apostille as a digital copy, a physical copy, or both.

Issued by US Department of State

Federal Apostille

Required for federally issued documents — most commonly the FBI Background Check (Identity History Summary), as well as IRS, FDA, USPTO and other federal agency documents.

  • FBI Background Check (Identity History Summary)
  • IRS documents (Form 6166, etc.)
  • Documents signed by federal officials
  • FDA Certificates

Issued by Secretary of State

State Apostille

Issued by the Secretary of State of the state where the document was issued or notarized. Covers vital records, education, corporate, and notarized documents.

  • Birth, marriage & death certificates
  • Diplomas & academic transcripts
  • Corporate (Articles, Good Standing, POA)
  • Notarized documents

How it works

  1. 1

    Tell us about your document

    Submit details about your document and destination country.

  2. 2

    We process the apostille

    We route to the correct authority — federal or state — and track every step.

  3. 3

    Receive your apostilled document

    Get a certified digital copy delivered electronically, the original physical copy shipped back to you, or both — ready for international use.

Frequently asked questions

What is a Federal Apostille?
A Federal Apostille is issued by the US Department of State and is required for federally issued documents such as the FBI Background Check, IRS letters, and documents signed by federal officials.
What is a State Apostille?
A State Apostille is issued by the Secretary of State of the state where the document was issued or notarized. It applies to vital records, diplomas, and notarized documents.
Do I need both a Federal and a State Apostille?
No — a single document gets one or the other. Federal documents go through the US Department of State; state-issued documents go through the appropriate Secretary of State.
How long does it take?
State apostilles typically take a few business days. Federal apostilles from the US Department of State currently take several weeks. We’ll quote a turnaround when you submit your request.
Can I get a digital copy or a physical copy of my apostille?
Both. We deliver a certified digital copy (e-Apostille) electronically where the issuing authority and destination country accept it, and we ship the original physical apostille back to you. Physical apostilles are accepted by every Hague Convention country, so we recommend a physical copy when in doubt and offer both when you need flexibility.
Which countries accept a US apostille?
More than 120 countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention accept a US apostille without further legalization, including most of Europe, Latin America, and Asia. Countries that aren’t members require embassy or consular legalization instead. Tell us your destination country and we’ll confirm the correct path.
What documents can be apostilled?
We apostille any US document. Common examples include FBI Background Checks, birth, marriage, and death certificates, diplomas and academic transcripts, powers of attorney, corporate records such as Articles of Incorporation and Certificates of Good Standing, and notarized documents.
Is Sealward secure and trustworthy?
Yes. Sealward handles your documents end to end with secure, encrypted submission, transparent pricing with no hidden fees, and direct processing through the US Department of State and each Secretary of State. You only pay after you approve your quote, and we track every step until your apostilled document is back in your hands.

Get in touch

Questions about whether your document needs a Federal or State Apostille? We respond within one business day.

Ready to start?

Open a request and tell us about your document. You'll get a price estimate and turnaround time before you pay anything.

Start your request