State vs. Federal Apostilles: What’s the Difference?
When people first learn they need an apostille, it can feel confusing — especially when they hear terms like state apostille and federal apostille. Don’t worry, you’re not alone! At Clark Apostille Service, I make this process simple and transparent. Let’s break it down.
✨ What Is a State Apostille?
A state apostille is issued by your state’s Secretary of State office. You’ll need this if your document was:
Issued by the state (like a birth or marriage certificate)
Notarized by a commissioned notary public
Educational (like a high school or university diploma)
📌 Example: If you were born in Texas and need your birth certificate authenticated for use overseas, you’d get a Texas state apostille.
Turnaround time: Usually 7–12 business days standard, or faster with rush service.
✨ What Is a Federal Apostille?
A federal apostille is issued by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. You’ll need this if your document was issued by a federal agency — not a state.
Examples include:
FBI background checks
Social Security documents
Naturalization certificates
USDA or FDA certificates
📌 Since these come from the federal government, only the U.S. Dept. of State can authenticate them.
Turnaround time: Standard can take 8–12 weeks by mail. With a courier, rush service can cut this down to 3–5 business days (with additional courier fees).
✨ Which One Do You Need?
It depends on where your document originated.
State document = State apostille
Federal document = Federal apostille
If you’re unsure, I always help clients determine the correct path during intake so nothing gets delayed.
✨ How Clark Apostille Service Can Help
Whether your documents need a state apostille or a federal apostille, I’ll walk you through it:
Clear upfront pricing
Transparent turnaround times
Secure handling of your documents
Options for standard or rush processing
👉 Need help figuring out which apostille you need? Contact me today at www.clarkapostilleservices.com or call 346-306-1971.
