Does USCIS require an apostille for immigration applications?

Generally, no. USCIS requires only a certified translation for foreign-language documents submitted with immigration applications (per 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3)) — no apostille or consular legalization is needed. However, if processing through a U.S. embassy or consulate (consular processing), the post may require additional authentication for certain documents. Additionally, if your documents must be submitted to a U.S. state-level agency (e.g., courts, state government departments), that agency may require an apostille.

Can China now issue apostilles?

Yes. China officially acceded to the Hague Convention on March 8, 2023, with entry into force on November 7, 2023. Public documents issued in China (such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, academic credentials, police clearance certificates, and corporate documents) can now receive an apostille from the Consular Department of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs or its authorized local foreign affairs offices. This replaces the previous consular legalization process and significantly simplifies document authentication between the U.S. and China, saving an estimated CNY 300 million annually in processing costs for businesses and individuals.

What is the difference between an apostille and notarization?

Notarization is the process by which a Notary Public verifies the identity of a document signer and witnesses the signature — it is the first step in document authentication. An apostille is the subsequent certification by the Secretary of State or the Department of State authenticating the notary's signature (or the signature of the official who issued a public document), making the document directly recognizable in Hague Convention member countries. In short: notarization verifies the authenticity of a signature; an apostille verifies the official nature of the notarization or public document for international use.

Is the apostille process the same in every U.S. state?

The general process is the same, but specific details vary by state. All states issue apostilles through their Secretary of State's office, but fees ($2–$25), processing times, and whether online or mail-in applications are accepted differ. Large states such as California, New York, and Texas handle high volumes but have well-established processes. Some states (e.g., California) support online applications and electronic apostilles. Check the Secretary of State website for the state that issued the document for specific requirements.

How do I get an apostille for a federal document (e.g., FBI background check)?

Federal documents cannot receive an apostille from a state Secretary of State. Instead, you must apply to the U.S. Department of State's Office of Authentications. Applications are submitted by mail at a cost of $20 per document. Processing time is typically 4–8 weeks. Submit the original or certified copy, an application form, and the fee. The Office of Authentications address can be found on the travel.state.gov website.

What if the destination country is not a Hague Convention member?

For non-Hague Convention countries, documents must go through the full consular legalization chain: (1) Notarization — the document is notarized by a Notary Public; (2) State authentication — the County Clerk or Secretary of State authenticates the notary's signature; (3) Federal authentication — the U.S. Department of State's Office of Authentications authenticates; (4) Embassy/consulate legalization — the destination country's embassy or consulate in the U.S. provides final legalization. Each step requires completion of the prior step, and the entire process typically takes 6–12 weeks.

The Peng Law

海牙认证（Apostille）与文件公证

Apostille & Document Authentication

海牙认证（Apostille）是根据1961年《关于取消外国公文书认证要求的公约》（海牙公约）设立的简化文件国际认证制度。

Same day州级Apostille（当面办理）

1–4 weeks州级Apostille（邮寄办理）

4–8 weeks美国国务院认证（联邦文件）

6–12 weeks非海牙国家完整认证链

Overview

概述

海牙认证（Apostille）是根据1961年《关于取消外国公文书认证要求的公约》（海牙公约）设立的简化文件国际认证制度。海牙认证使一个缔约国签发的公文书可以在另一个缔约国直接被认可，无需经过传统的多层领事认证（Consular Legalization）程序。目前全球已有超过125个国家和地区加入海牙公约。中国于2023年3月加入海牙公约，2023年11月7日正式生效，使中美之间的文件认证流程大大简化。对于美国文件（如出生证明、结婚证、学历文件等）需要在海外使用的情况，需要获得签发州的州务卿（Secretary of State）出具的Apostille。对于非海牙公约成员国，文件认证需要经过更复杂的认证链：公证→州认证→美国国务院认证→目的国使领馆认证。

Eligibility

什么时候需要海牙认证或文件公证

美国出具的文件（出生证、结婚证、学历文件、公司文件等）需要在海牙公约成员国使用时

中国出具的文件需要在美国或其他海牙成员国使用时（2023年11月7日起适用）

移民申请中某些文件需要额外的认证级别（超出USCIS基本翻译认证要求时）

海外使领馆在签证面签时要求提供经认证的文件原件

在美国境外结婚或办理法律事务需要使用美国文件时

向外国政府或机构提交美国的授权委托书、宣誓书等法律文件时

非海牙成员国的文件需要在美国使用时，需经过领事认证（Consular Legalization）

Application Process

申请流程

确认目的国是否为海牙公约成员

查询海牙国际私法会议（HCCH）官网确认目的国是否为海牙公约缔约国。如果是，只需Apostille；如果不是，需要走完整的领事认证链。主要的非海牙成员国包括：加拿大（但已部分认可）、部分中东国家等。中国于2023年11月7日起成为海牙公约成员国。

准备文件（海牙成员国）

对于公文件（如出生证、结婚证）——直接向签发州的Secretary of State申请Apostille。对于私人文件（如授权委托书、宣誓书）——先经公证员（Notary Public）公证，然后向所在州的Secretary of State申请Apostille。联邦文件（如FBI背景调查）需向美国国务院认证办公室（Office of Authentications）申请Apostille。

向Secretary of State申请

各州申请方式不同，多数州支持邮寄和部分支持在线申请。费用通常$5-$25/份。需提交：文件原件或认证副本、申请表、费用。处理时间：当面办理通常当天完成，邮寄办理通常1-4周。

非海牙成员国的认证链

步骤一：文件公证（Notarization）；步骤二：County Clerk或Secretary of State认证公证员签名；步骤三：美国国务院认证办公室（Office of Authentications）认证；步骤四：目的国驻美使领馆认证（Embassy/Consulate Legalization）。每个步骤都需要上一步的认证才能进行。

中国文件的海牙认证

自2023年11月7日起，中国出具的公文件可以通过中国外交部领事司（指定的主管机关）获取Apostille，无需再经过传统的多层领事认证。这大大简化了中国文件在海牙成员国使用的流程。中国外交部及其授权的地方外事办公室负责签发Apostille。

Timeline Reference

时间线参考

阶段	预计时间
州级Apostille（当面办理）	当天
州级Apostille（邮寄办理）	1-4周
美国国务院认证（联邦文件）	4-8周
非海牙国家完整认证链	6-12周
中国外交部Apostille	5-10个工作日

Frequently Asked Questions

常见问题

通常不需要。USCIS对提交的外语文件只要求认证翻译（8 CFR 103.2(b)(3)），不要求Apostille或领事认证。但如果是通过领事处理（Consular Processing）在美国使领馆面签，使领馆可能对某些文件要求额外的认证。此外，如果您的文件需要提交给美国的州级机构（如法院、州政府部门等），该机构可能要求Apostille。