An apostille for diploma is a special mark that certifies the authenticity of an official document. The United States is a member of an international treaty called the 1961 Hague Convention, and the apostille procedure ensures that public documents issued in one signatory country are recognized as valid in other countries that are also members of the treaty.

An authentication certificate or apostille is a seal or stamp that verifies the signature, position, and identity of the person signing the document. Most academic documents, including diplomas and transcripts, need to be authenticated before they can be used in another country. Other types of documents that need to be authenticated include court orders, contracts, and vital records.

How to Apostille a Diploma for International Use

Apostilles and authentication certificates can only be issued by a government agency, such as the Secretary of State of the State where the document was issued. Some countries may require an additional step beyond the apostille to authenticate documents, which is called the embassy legalization or consular legalization. Consult with the country in which you plan to work or study to find out if this is the case for you.

If you need to have your diploma, official transcript, or enrollment and graduation verification letters apostilled, please contact StudentLink. It is a process that can take 6-8 weeks to complete. If you need a copy of your diploma in the meantime, you can order it online through Parchment or request a duplicate diploma. It is important to note that a digital diploma does not need to be apostilled.