An apostille is a certificate that confirms the authenticity of the signature and seal on a public document for use abroad. In Vermont, apostilles and authentication certificates are issued through the Secretary of State, with the Vermont State Archives and Records Administration (VSARA) handling eligible requests. These can include:
- certified vital records;
- state, county, and local government records;
- certified court papers;
- business documents;
- academic records prepared for authentication;
- private documents notarized by a Vermont notary.
An apostille in Vermont is limited to documents issued or notarized in the state. Records originating elsewhere generally need to go through the appropriate authority in the state where they were issued or notarized.
How an apostille works depends on the destination country. Hague Apostille Convention members generally accept an apostille, while non-Hague destinations may require a different form of authentication followed by embassy or consular legalization.
At One Source Process, we offer document apostille and legalization services to help review your records, identify the correct path for the destination country, and coordinate the Vermont filing.
