Using the wrong copy of a vital record
The single most common mistake — hospital souvenir birth certificates, funeral home death certificates, and decorative marriage certificates are not accepted. You need a certified copy from the state or county vital records office.
Sending to the wrong office
Federal documents (FBI checks, USDA certificates) go to the U.S. Department of State. State documents go to the state that issued them. Sending them to the wrong place means the submission is returned.
Skipping county authentication when required
A few states — most notably New York — require county-level authentication of the notary before the state will apostille a document.
Translating too early
Most countries require translation after the apostille is affixed, not before.
Using an expired or too-old certified copy
Many countries require the certified copy to be less than six months old — some are stricter.
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