It’s needed when presenting your educational qualifications to foreign authorities. For example, if you plan to attend graduate school in Germany, the institution requires apostilles of your high school and university diplomas. An apostille meets the academic verification requirements since Germany is a signatory to the treaty.
Step-by-Step Guide to Apostilling Your Diploma
Obtaining an apostille for your diploma involves crucial steps. Here’s how the process works — and how One Source Process simplifies it for you.
Getting a Certified Copy and Notarization
We verify your diploma meets all requirements, support obtaining certified copies from your school, and ensure proper notarization where required. Our assistance during preparation helps eliminate common rejection reasons before submission.
Submission to the Secretary of State
Our experts submit your apostille request with the required documents and applicable fees to the Secretary of State’s office, or an equivalent agency, for processing. We track processing times and navigate requirements so your apostilled diploma will arrive exactly when needed.
Federal vs. State Apostille for a Diploma — What’s the Difference?
Most diplomas are state-issued documents, so you should obtain your apostille from the relevant state. However, in some rare cases, you may need a federal apostille if a federal agency issued your diploma. In short, state apostilles validate local documents, while federal apostilles are used for governmental records.
Apostille Diploma Timing and Costs
Processing times vary widely by state, typically from 3 to 15 days for approval. Some states allow walk-ins, allowing you to receive your apostilled degree on the same day. Additionally, it’s best to budget approximately $15 to $20 per document.
