Most apostille problems start before the order, with a vague request from the receiving office. These five questions get you a clear answer first.

An apostille is issued by the country where the document was created. If your document came from abroad, a U.S. state office cannot apostille it. Here is what to do instead.

A doctor’s letter or hospital record is signed by a private person, not a state official. Here is how that changes the route to an apostille, and what to ask before you request anything.

An apostille is attached to a single document. Here is what that means when you need several copies, a multi-page document, or a stack of papers for one application.

Adoption decrees, divorce decrees and other court orders are not issued by the apostille office. Here is how to get a copy that can be apostilled and avoid the most common delays.

The apostille office checks the notary, not just your document. Here is what to confirm about your notary before you sign, so the apostille is not refused over something you could have caught.

Universities abroad often ask for a long list of documents. Here is how to sort out which ones need an apostille, which need a notary first, and which may not need either.

Foreign marriage offices often ask for a birth certificate and a statement that you are free to marry. Here is how each one reaches an apostille, and what to confirm first.

The apostille does not make an old document new. Many foreign authorities care when the underlying document was issued, so check the date before you order.

Apostille offices only authenticate the signature of a public official. Whether your document was signed by one or by a private person decides what has to happen first.