Need to use a Pennsylvania document in another country? We help you prepare and manage the apostille or certification process, reviewing the basic requirements for your document and for the country where it will be presented.
The apostille or certification is issued by the Pennsylvania Department of State (Secretary of the Commonwealth), which authenticates the public official’s signature on the document. The destination country determines whether an apostille or a certification applies, and some countries outside the Hague Apostille Convention may require additional legalization steps. We guide you and take care of the preparation and submission.
How we help
- Identifying the destination country and the basic authentication route that applies.
- Reviewing whether your document appears properly prepared for submission (for example, whether it is a certified copy or needs to be notarized first).
- Coordinating notarization when the document requires it.
- Preparing the request, organizing the information and handling submission to the Department of State.
- Coordinating the return of your documents.
- Translating the document when the destination country requires it.
Documents that commonly need an apostille or certification
- Birth, marriage and death certificates.
- Divorce decrees and other court records.
- Diplomas and transcripts.
- Notarized documents, powers of attorney and affidavits.
- Business documents: certificates of good standing, articles of incorporation and contracts.
- Adoption, dual-citizenship and other international paperwork.
Not every document qualifies as is: requirements depend on the type of document and the country where it will be used. Tell us what document you have, which state or office issued it and which country it is going to, and we will point you to the right path. Apostilles and certifications are not issued for documents that will be used within the United States.
Calderon Tax Services does not issue apostilles or certifications. Official authentication of Pennsylvania documents is performed by the Pennsylvania Department of State. Government fees and processing times are set by the agency and can change.