Louisiana Apostille FAQs

Apostille Stamps to authenticate Louisiana documents can be obtained from the Louisiana Secretary of State

Apostille stamps are only valid for documents that are required for submission to countries that are signatories to the Hague Apostille Convention

• Louisiana Apostille and Authentication Services

Louisiana documents that need to be authenticated for non-apostille countries (e.g. United Arab Emirates, Qatar) must be authenticated by the Louisiana Secretary of State with an Authentication Certificate and then attested by the recipient country's embassy in the United States. Most embassies will also require an additional authentication the U.S. Department of State in Washington DC.

• Louisiana Apostille and Authentication Services

Louisiana Apostille Stamps can normally be obtained in 3-4 business days
A one-day service is also available for urgent requests.

The Louisiana Secretary of State issues Apostille Stamps to authenticate State of Louisiana documents that have been signed by Louisiana State officials such as clerks of court, sheriffs, judges, justices of the peace and the registrar of vital records, including:

• Transcripts and diplomas signed by Louisiana state accredited university registrars, presidents, deans, etc.
• Birth and death certificates issued by the Louisiana Department of Vital Records;
• Marriage certificates, licences and divorce certificates certified by the clerk of the court in the parish where the marriage or divorce was filed.#Certificates of Good Standing and Certificates of Existence issued by the Secretary of State
• Certified copies of Louisiana State Criminal History Reports issued by the Louisiana State Police;

Other documents, such as affidavits and powers of attorney, can be authenticated when duly certified by a Louisiana notary public

To confirm whether your Louisiana document is valid for an Apostille Stamp, please Contact us for a free document check.

If documents are required for submission to the authorities or consulate of a signatory country of the Hague Apostille Convention, an apostille stamp affixed by the Secretary of State of Louisiana will generally be recognized directly as confirming authenticity, although a certified translation may also be required if presenting to a country that does not have English as an official language.

If documents are required for presentation in a country that is not a signatory to the apostille convention (e.g. United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Taiwan, Vietnam), then an apostille stamp is not valid. Documents will need to be authenticated at State level in Louisiana, then by the State Department Authentication Division, and finally by the embassy or consulate of the destination country in the United States. A Certified Translation may also be required.

For further information about Louisiana apostilles and authentications or to obtain a quote for assistance submitting your documents, with free eligibility pre-check, international collection and delivery by courier, please Contact us or send us your documents using our Online Quotation Form.

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Louisiana Apostilles follow the standard format laid down in the Apostille Convention. Some examples of Louisiana documents certified with Apostille stamps:

• Louisiana birth certificate with Apostille (PDF)

See What does an Apostille look like?

Louisiana birth and death certificates can be obtained from the Louisiana Department of Vital Records. Certificates can be ordered online through VitalChek or by mail. A walk-in service is also available in New Orleans.

• How to order a Louisiana Birth Certificate
• How to order a Louisiana Death Certificate

Louisiana birth and death certificates are restricted records. Only the person named on the certificate (birth certificates) or immediate family (birth and death certificates) can obtain certificates. Louisiana Vital Records will only ship copies of Louisiana birth and death certificates to the entitled applicant's verified home address.

Louisiana marriage certificates can be obtained from the Clerk of the Court of the parish where the marriage was registered. Certificates from Orleans Parish are available from the Louisiana Department of Vital Records and can also be ordered online through VitalChek.

• Clerks of Court - Louisiana parishes
• Order an Orleans Parish Marriage Certificate

Certified copies of Louisiana divorce decrees (suitable for an Apostille Stamp of Authentication from the Secretary of State) can be obtained from the Clerk of Court in the parish where the divorce was filed.
Clerks of Court - Louisiana parishes

An Apostille Stamp to authenticate a Louisiana Certificate of Good Standing can be obtained from the Louisiana Secretary of State

Certificates of Good Standing for Louisiana corporations and limited liability companies can be ordered online from the Secretary of State.
Apply for Louisiana Certificate of Good Standing

Certified copies of Louisiana State Criminal History Reports (embossed with raised State Seal) are available from the Louisiana State Police

Louisiana Criminal History Reports issued by the Louisiana State Police can be authenticated with an Apostille from the Louisiana Secretary of State. A certified "true copy" is required, embossed with the raised State Seal.

Diplomas and transcripts signed by Louisiana state accredited university registrars, presidents, deans, etc. can be submitted directly to the Louisiana Secretary of state for authentication. Certificates from other Louisiana institutions will need prior certification by a Louisiana notary public

Louisiana degrees required for submission to countries that are members of the Apostille Convention can be certified with an Apostille Stamp from the Secretary of State - this will be accepted directly by authorities of the recipient country. Degrees required for non-Apostille countries (e.g. United Arab Emirates, Qatar) need an Authentication Certificate from the Secretary of State, and must then be attested by the embassy of the recipient country (legalization by the U.S. State Department in Washington DC may also be required).

Louisiana university degree certificates, course transcripts and high school diplomas can also be authenticated as notarized copies. A true copy is certified by a notary (this can often be done from a scan without having to submit the original) and then authenticated with an Apostille Stamp from the Washington DC Secretary of State. Authenticated documents can also be attested by the embassies of Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates.

For further information, see:
University Degrees and School Records

Documents, such as affidavits and powers of attorney, certified by an Louisiana notary public can be authenticated by the Louisiana Secretary of State with an Apostille or authentication certificate (depending on whether the country of destination is a signatoryto the Apostille Convention). Documents must be notarized in compliance with Louisiana Notary Law with a complete jurat or acknowledgement.

Louisiana Driving History Certificates can be obtained online from the Office of Motor Vehicles.
Apply for Louisiana Driving Record