What You Need to Bring for a Pennsylvania Apostille – A Notary’s Guide

As a notary handling apostille requests, I often get asked, "What do I need to bring for an apostille?" To make the process smooth and hassle-free, here’s everything you need to prepare before we begin.

1. The Original Document

To obtain an apostille, you must bring the correct type of document. Common ones include:

• Birth, death, marriage, or divorce certificates (must be official, certified copies)

• Background checks (state or FBI)

• Notarized documents (affidavits, power of attorney, etc.)

• Business documents (articles of incorporation, certificates of good standing)

• Diplomas and transcripts (may require notarization by the school)

2. Know the Destination Country

Before applying for an apostille, you must know which country the document is intended for. Apostilles are only valid for countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention. If the destination country is not part of this agreement, you may need additional authentication steps, such as embassy legalization. Providing this information ensures that your document receives the proper certification.

3. Proper Notarization (If Required)

If your document requires notarization, ensure that:

• It has been properly signed in front of a Pennsylvania notary.

• The notary stamp and commission expiration date are clearly visible.

• The notary acknowledgment is correctly completed.

If you're unsure, I can help notarize your document before proceeding with the apostille process.

4. Government-Issued ID

For notarized documents, you will need to bring a valid, government-issued photo ID, such as:

• Driver’s license

• Passport

• State-issued ID

This is required to verify your identity before notarization.

5. Apostille Request Form

The Pennsylvania Department of State requires a completed Apostille/Certification Request Form, which you can download from their website. If you need help filling it out, I can guide you through the process or do the process for you.

6. Payment for Processing Fees

The state charges $15 per document (as of the latest update). Payment can be made by check or money order payable to the Pennsylvania Department of State. Be sure to bring the correct payment method to avoid delays. This is also a process I can handle for you.

7. Prepaid Return Envelope (If Mailing Back the Apostille)

If you need the apostille returned via mail, bring a self-addressed, stamped envelope or a prepaid courier envelope (FedEx, UPS, etc.) to ensure fast delivery back to you.

8. Submission Method

You can choose to submit your apostille request:

• In Person: At the Pennsylvania Department of State office in Harrisburg for faster processing.

• By Mail: I can help ensure your documents are properly packaged and sent to: Bureau of Notaries, Commissions, and Legislation Pennsylvania Department of State 401 North Street, Room 210 Harrisburg, PA 17120

9. Processing Time

• Standard processing takes 5-10 business days.

• Expedited services may be available for urgent requests.

  
  

Need Help with Your Apostille?

Handling an apostille can be time-consuming, but I’m here to make the process easy for you. At Mobile Notary Philadelphia, I’ll ensure your documents are correctly notarized and submitted for authentication, saving you time and stress. I'll handle most of the steps above and get your documents back to you as soon as possible.

Ready to get started? Contact me today to get your apostille processed quickly and hassle-free!