One of the most common questions we receive at Express Apostille Services is whether an apostille expires. The simple answer is: the apostille itself does not expire.
An apostille is a certification issued by a designated government authority that verifies the authenticity of a public document, such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate, diploma, or FBI background check. Once issued, the apostille remains valid as a certification of the signature and seal that appeared on the document at the time it was authenticated.
However, while the apostille does not expire, the underlying document may have age restrictions imposed by the receiving country, government agency, employer, university, or consulate. For example:
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FBI Background Checks are often required to be issued within the last 3 to 6 months.
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Vital records may need to be recently certified copies.
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Corporate documents may need to reflect current business status.
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Powers of Attorney may need to be executed within a specific timeframe.
Because each organization sets its own requirements, a perfectly valid apostille may still be rejected if the document itself is considered too old for the intended purpose.
How to Avoid Delays
Before obtaining an apostille, it is important to verify the document age requirements with the organization requesting it. If you are unsure, our team can help guide you through the process and determine whether a new document should be obtained before authentication.
At Express Apostille Services, we help clients authenticate documents for use in over 120 countries and can advise you on country-specific requirements to ensure your documents are accepted the first time.
Have questions about your document? Request a complimentary document review and quote here.
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