From document
to done.
Five steps, no guesswork. Here's exactly what happens between the moment you tell us about your document and the moment it's ready to use abroad.
Apostilles are confusing. We get it.
You've got a document that needs an apostille. Sounds simple enough, right? Until you start researching and suddenly you're dealing with notaries, county clerks, Secretaries of State, federal agencies, and requirements that seem to change depending on the document and where it's going.
It's a lot. And you shouldn't have to become an apostille expert just to get your paperwork handled.
That's where Inkcredible comes in.
We help take the guesswork out of the process by figuring out what your documents need, which government office handles them, and how to get them submitted correctly.
Whether it's a birth certificate, university diploma, power of attorney, or FBI background check, we'll help you navigate the requirements, coordinate the paperwork, and keep you updated along the way.
Less Googling. Less second-guessing. More getting it done.
Tell Us About the Document
Country of use, document type, issuing authority and deadline. The destination country drives the requirements — some need extra steps beyond a standard apostille.
We ask for the basics: what the document is, who issued it, and where it's going. That tells us which rules apply.
We Check the Requirements
We determine whether the document is ready for apostille or needs certification or notarization first.
A diploma may need a registrar's signature and notarization. A vital record needs a certified copy. A notarized document needs a current notary commission. We find out before anything moves.
Document Preparation
We coordinate any required university, registrar, certification or notarization steps.
This is where most delays happen for people doing it themselves. We coordinate with the issuing institution so the document arrives at the Secretary of State in the correct form.
Apostille Processing
We submit the eligible document to the appropriate authority — the California Secretary of State for California documents, or the U.S. Department of State for federal documents.
California offers mail and in-person submission paths. The right path depends on the document type, your timeline, and availability. Federal documents follow the U.S. Department of State's own process and schedule.
Track & Return
We return completed documents using the delivery method you select.
Domestic or international tracked shipping, pickup by arrangement — your choice. You get status updates along the way.
Processing times depend on the issuing authority — the California Secretary of State, or the U.S. Department of State for federal documents — the issuing institution, and the document type. We don't imply guaranteed timelines. Rush options exist for eligible documents when availability allows.
What an apostille
actually verifies.
An apostille is a certificate attached by the issuing authority — the California Secretary of State for California documents, or the U.S. Department of State for federal documents. It confirms three things: the signature on the document is genuine, the person who signed it acted in an official capacity, and the seal or stamp is authentic.
It does not validate the contents of the document, certify that the document is accurate, or guarantee acceptance by the destination country. Some countries require a certified translation alongside the apostille; a few are not members of the Hague Apostille Convention and need a longer legalization process instead.
We'll tell you up front if your destination needs anything beyond a standard apostille.
Ready to start?
Tell us what you have and where it's going. We'll tell you what needs to happen next.