IOWA APOSTILLE
Apostille is a French word that means certification.
When legal or official documents which were issued in the state of Iowa are to be used in a foreign country, it may sometimes be
necessary to authenticate the validity of the signatures on those Iowa documents.
"Authentication" is sometimes called "Verification", "Validation" or "Certification".
"Authentication" is also sometimes called an official "Stamp" or an official "Seal".
Government agencies in most countries require legal and official documents from a different country to be authenticated by a credible
agency in the foreign country before they will accept any documents as valid.
An Iowa
Apostille is a document issued by the Iowa Secretary of State
which is used for international validation.
- An Iowa Apostille is like an international notary stamp.
- An Iowa Apostille attached to a document legally verifies the signature and the position
of the official who has executed, issued or certified a copy of any document.
- An Iowa Apostille is a document which bears the signature and, usually, the seal of an official state agency,
usually the Secretary of State.
- An Iowa Apostille is attached (usually stapled) to a legal or official document.
An Iowa
Apostille does
not validate the contents of
the document.
An Iowa
Apostille validates only the authenticity of the signature of the official
who signed the Iowa document, the capacity in which that official acted, and when appropriate, the identity of the seal or stamp
which the document bears.
This is usually an Iowa Notary Public; an Iowa Elected Official; or an Iowa Appointed
Official.
Most, but not all, countries recognize an
Apostille as a legal document.
In 1961 a number of countries got together and agreed to some conventions for conducting international business.
Representatives of the countries met in The Hague, Netherlands, and the agreements that were signed became known as the Hague
Convention of 1961.
Part of the Hague Convention has to do with easing the process of using valid documents from one country in another country.
Prior to 1981 the process of validating foreign documents could be cumbersome, expensive and slow.
Countries that signed the Hague Convention have agreed to recognize valid documents
issued by other signatory countries if those documents are authenticated by the attachment of an internationally recognized
form of authentication known as an
Apostille.
The Iowa
Apostille ensures that documents issued in Iowa will be recognized
as valid in another signatory country.
Which countries legally recognize an Iowa Apostille?
explain
In addition to the United States,
the following countries have signed the Hague Convention and will accept a document with an Iowa Apostille attached.
For countries not listed the Iowa Secretary of State will issue a Certification which can be affixed to an official
or legal Iowa document in the same way in which an Iowa Apostille is affixed to a Iowa document.
- Albania
- Andorra
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Australia
- Austria
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Belize
- Bermuda
- Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Colombia
- Comoros Islands
- Cook Islands
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Djibouti
- Dominica
- El Salvador
- Estonia
- Fiji
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Gibraltar
- Greece
- Grenada
- Honduras
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- India
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- Korea
- Latvia
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macau
- Macedonia
- Malawi
- Malta
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Moldova
- Montserrat
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Panama
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Samoa
- San Marino
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Solomon Islands
- South Africa
- Spain
- St. Kitts and Nevis
- St. Lucia
- St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- Suriname
- Swaziland
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turkey
- Tuvalu
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- Vanuatu
- Venezuela
What if a country does not legally recognize an Apostille for an Iowa document?
explain
If a country does not legally recognize an Apostille for an Iowa document then that country probably will accept
a Iowa issued by the Iowa Secretary of State.
The Iowa Secretary of State will issue a Iowa in lieu of an Apostille.
In the state of Iowa, the Apostille and Iowa administrative processes are virtually the same.
Will the Iowa Secretary of State Notarize my documents?
explain
No.
The Iowa Secretary of State will not notarize any documents.
Iowa documents which were not issued by an Iowa state agency must be notarized by a registered Iowa Notary Public or certified by the Vital
Records department in the Iowa city or county in which the documents were issued.
Will the Iowa Secretary of State issue an Apostille for documents from a state other than Iowa?
explain
No.
The Iowa Secretary of State will not issue an Apostille for a document which was originally issued in a state other than Iowa.
The Iowa Secretary of State will issue an Apostille only for documents which were issued or originated in the state of Iowa.
Will the Iowa Secretary of State issue an Apostille for Iowa documents in a foreign language other than English?
explain
No.
The Iowa Secretary of State will not issue an Apostille for a Iowa document which is in a foreign language other than English.
The Iowa document must be accompanied by a notarized English version of the Iowa document.
Can I get an Iowa Apostille for a federal US document from the Iowa Secretary of State?
explain
No.
The Iowa Secretary of State will not issue an Apostille for a federal US document.
Federal documents which have been issued by an agency of the US government are authenticated by the US Department of State
Authentications Office.
How much does it cost to get an Iowa Apostille?
explain
The total cost of an Apostille depends on the number of signatures (not documents) that you want to authenticate and the time by which you
want to receive your Apostilled Iowa documents.
When you fill out the order form below, the cost is automatically updated as you specify your options.
We can handle every step of the Iowa Apostille process for any certified or notarized
document which was issued in the state of Iowa.
How long does it take to get an Iowa Apostille?
explain
The time it takes to get an Iowa Apostille depends on the nature of the documents that you want Apostilled. We've found that it takes around 5-7 business days for
the Iowa to complete the Apostille process.
PLEASE NOTE: WE CANNOT GUARANTEE IOWA SECRETARY OF STATE PROCESSING TIMES.
The Iowa Secretary of State reserves the right to extend expedite periods in time of extreme volume, staff shortage or equipment
malfunction.
We are dependent on, and have no control over, the staff and systems of the Iowa Secretary of State.
In our experience the time specified is the time it
usually takes the Iowa Secretary of State to process Apostille orders.
We get your Iowa Apostille request to the IA Secretary of State ASAP.
Once it is at the state we have very little or no control over the Iowa Apostille process.
How can I order an Iowa Apostille online?
If you are ready to order an Iowa Apostille online now just fill in the form below and click Place Order.
As soon as we receive your order for an Iowa Apostille we will start processing it ASAP.
We will provide you with a shipping label if you need to send any notarized Iowa documents to us.
IOWA APOSTILLE ORDER FORM
We take the privacy of your personal information very seriously.
We DO NOT store your credit card information.
It is encrypted and passed on to your bank along with the details of your order.
We DO NOT use your personal information for any other purposes than this individual order.
We will never provide your personal information to any person, group or third party.
FOREIGN COUNTRY INFORMATION
DOCUMENT INFORMATION
IOWA SECRETARY OF STATE-ISSUED DOCUMENTS
Examples are Articles of Incorporation, Certified Copies of Business Documents, Good Standing Certificates or any other Documents
issued directly by the Iowa Secretary of State or other Iowa state agencies.
Describe the Iowa state-issued documents
Please Note: If you would like us to get any Iowa state-issued documents for
you there will be additional state and processing fees for the Iowa state-issued documents.
We will verify all additional charges for your approval before any additional charges are made
to your credit card.
IOWA COUNTY/CITY-ISSUED DOCUMENTS
Examples are Birth Certificates, Marriage Certificates, Death Certificates or any other Documents
issued directly by a Iowa city, county or other public agency.
Describe the Iowa city/county-issued documents
OTHER NOTARIZED IOWA DOCUMENTS
This includes any document which has already been notarized by a Iowa notary public.
We will send you a shipping label to get your Iowa notarized documents to us.
Describe the Iowa notarized documents
CONTACT & SHIPPING INFORMATION
This is the person and address where we will send the final document package.
We may need to ask you questions regarding your order so be sure to include your phone number
and email address.
BILLING INFORMATION
You can feel safe when using your credit card to place your order with us.
We use SECURE
ENCRYPTION technology to keep all information confidential.
Billing Address same as Contact Address
IOWA APOSTILLE ORDER OPTIONS
Choose options, cost is updated automatically.
Make sure to specify the Number of Signatures above.
Delivery Options
US DOMESTIC
INTERNATIONAL
Total Cost:
$0.00
No Hidden Fees
PAYMENT INFORMATION
If you prefer, check the box below and you won't have to enter your credit card information online. Instead, we'll call you
at the Contact Phone Number you enter above to get it.
Call me for my Credit Card Information
Questions / Comments / Special Requests
NOTE: WE ARE NOT THE IOWA SECRETARY OF STATE NOR ARE WE AFFILIATED WITH THE
IOWA SECRETARY OF STATE
CANCELLATION POLICY
All Iowa Apostille orders are refundable before payment is issued to the Iowa Secretary of State, minus a $25 cancellation fee,
and less any expenses incurred in processing your order. After payment has been delivered to the Iowa Secretary of State we cannot accept any cancellations
or any changes to your Iowa Apostille order. Generally, payments are made to the Iowa Secretary of State within 24 hours of receipt of your
Iowa Apostille order. To check the status of your Iowa Apostille order, make changes, or ask any questions, call us at 855-771-2477.