Many companies provide apostille services. If you google "apostille in new york", "florida apostille", "apostille for south korea", "apostille services in Washington dc", etc. you will get a long list of companies that provide apostille services. Are all of these companies legitimate? Is there a guarantee that your documents will be apostilled properly? Will your documents be accepted in the country they are intended for?
Here are a few questions you should ask before you trust your valuable documents to any apostille service company:
Does my document require an apostille or embassy legalization?
A quick response to this question shows if the company knows the Hague Apostille Convention and stays updated on industry changes.
For example, asking, "My document is for Saudi Arabia, does it need an apostille?" should get an instant answer. Be cautious if you hear, "Let me double-check..."
Saudi Arabia joined the Apostille Convention on April 8, 2022 and started to accept apostilled documents on December 7th, 2022.
Is my document eligible for an apostille?
You should be asked key details about your document, such as its type, whether it’s an original or a copy, its issue date, and the name and position of the signing official. Alternatively, you may be asked to email or fax it for evaluation. A reputable apostille company won’t accept just any document.
Also, ask where their privacy policy is listed on their website. Ensure your personal information won’t be collected, stored, or shared with third parties.
We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information. We do not maintain any databases containing names, email addresses, or other personal identifiers.You will never get any marketing emails or calls from us. Any information collected during your interaction with Foreign Documents Express is used solely for the purpose of responding to your request. We do not share or sell your information to third parties. If you have any concerns about your privacy or data security, please contact us.
Is your document evaluation free?
Some companies charge a fee for document evaluation, do not use such companies. The document evaluation should be free, and done fast.
Our document evaluation is free and is done the same business day.
If you can’t apostille my document, will you provide a full refund or charge a service fee? Is this information available on your website?
Many companies charge a service fee if your document is rejected. This often means the company is simply acting as a messenger, delivering your documents to the Secretary of State or a foreign embassy. Professional apostille companies, however, work closely with you to ensure your documents are acceptable. They guarantee results and do not charge service fees if they are unable to complete the order.
We guarantee a 100% refund if we are not able to apostille your document(s) as promised. We do not keep any service fees.
If my document is rejected by the authorities in the country of intended use, will you issue a refund?
Be cautious of a simple "yes" answer—it may mean the company is just eager to secure your order, regardless of the outcome. You should receive a full refund if the company is unable to apostille or legalize your document as promised. In other cases, the company should clearly explain their refund policy, including whether you'll be refunded the full amount. Keep in mind, a document can be rejected by a foreign organization due to issues unrelated to the apostille process (such as errors in the document, like mistakes in the power of attorney or incorrect spelling). Always ask for clarification on the refund policy.
If your document is rejected by a foreign agency through no fault of ours, we will offer you a discount on re-doing the document. Unfrotunately, there is no refund if the document contained a mistake.
What mail do you use to ship apostilled documents to clients? Will you provide the tracking number?
You should be offered multiple options for shipping your documents back to you or to any address you will provide. The return shipment should be trackable so that you know when your documents are shipped and when to expect the package.
We use USPS Priority mail (free within the U.S.), FedEx 2nd day (U.S.), FedEx standard overnight (U.S.), FedEx International, DHL Worldwide. You can also provide your prepaid shipping label for the return shipment.
Do you ship to foreign countries? If yes, what mail do you use and what is the additional fee?
Some companies offer free shipment to foreign countries on top of very low prices for apostilles. Doesn't it look suspicious if the total of the state apostille fee plus international shipment fee exceeds the price you pay for an apostille?
We mostly use FedEx International for shipment to foreign countries. The price is $85 to most countries, $135 to Eastern Europe, Africa, South America. In some cases, the price can be higher. We will let you know in advance and will provide shipping options.
Also, you can provide a prepaid FedEx or DHL label for international shipment.
Do you provide scanned copies by email before you ship the apostilled originals to the clients?
This is a good practice not many apostille companies follow. You should be able to see what you are getting before your apostilled documents are shipped to you. Scanned copies by email should be free.
We always email the scanned copies of the apostilled/legalized documents before we ship them to you. This service is free.
How much is an apostille?
The typical cost for an apostille ranges from $150 to $250. Many companies offer volume discounts, so if you have multiple documents, be sure to ask for one. This can help you save money when handling several documents. It’s important to note that state fees for apostilles are much lower (usually $10 to $25). Apostille companies charge for convenience, speed, expertise, and the guarantee that your documents will be accepted in the intended country. However, if you're confident that your documents meet the requirements and will be accepted overseas, you can certainly handle the process yourself. Apostille services are not licensed, so anyone can perform them.
Our price for an apostille is $175. We offer volume discounts for multiple documents. Clients can expect clear and upfront pricing for the services they require, without hidden fees or surprises.
Beware of apostille scams...
Beware of Online Apostille Scams: Protect Your Documents
A rising issue in the apostille industry involves fraudulent websites claiming to offer unrealistically quick and easy apostille services. These sites often promise to process apostilles in a matter of hours but end up delivering either no apostille or a fake certificate. Consumers who fall for these scams may end up losing both money and important documents.
How to Avoid Online Apostille Scams:
Watch for unusually high or unusually low fees: If a service charges much more or much less than typical providers, it could be a scam.
Beware of fast processing promises: Websites claiming they can complete the apostille in an unrealistic timeframe (e.g., in hours or even in minutes) are fraudulent.
Example from Google: "apostilles for documents certified online with our partner notaries, usually available within minutes"
Be cautious of guarantees: Scams often claim to guarantee apostilles on all documents, regardless of type or complexity, without document evaluation.
Example from Google: Whether you need to apostille a birth certificate, a marriage certificate, an educational diploma, or other vital record (!?), our online platform provides a simple, secure and affordable solution. The entire process takes only 5 minutes, and you’ll receive your document with an Apostille stamp within 24 hours.
Sensitive information requests: Avoid services that ask for sensitive personal data without clear justification. You do not need to verify your identity in order to get apostilles for your documents!
Example from Google: "Step 1: Upload your document. Step 2: Checkout. Step 3: Verify your identity (!!)"
More signs of common apostille scams include:
- Offering "digital certification" as a service, which indicates the service may not be legitimate.
- Claiming to provide "accredited" apostille services, despite no such accreditation existing.
- Issuing apostilles for scanned copies without clarifying the process or specifying the U.S. state issuing the apostille.
- Promising apostilles for any scanned documents (including vital records) by merely attaching a notarized "custodian certificate."
- Requiring upfront payment before reviewing the documents.
To protect your documents, always use a trusted, recognized agency when obtaining an apostille to ensure legal authenticity and acceptance abroad.
