Ever had to establish the validity of a marriage license, birth certificate, or diploma obtained from another nation? The procedure can seem like running a marathon carrying a brick bag. Here Apostille Services steps in to help you to smooth the rough path between you and officials on the opposite side of the earth. Though it sounds exotic, apostille is actually an international handshake beginning with the 1961 Hague Convention. Now more than 120 countries agree: documents are accepted without second-guessing with this particular certification.

Imagine now Anna’s wish to study in France. She had to present her US degree. The French school won’t, however, rely merely on a piece of paper. Now arrive the apostilles. Without using any secret decoder rings, it serves as a universal translator verifying to French authorities that her diploma is the official one.

Misunderstandings surround apostilles; many believe they come from embassies. Actually, the country the document was issued in supplies the stamp or certificate. For example, the Secretary of State’s office in the US handles it most of the times. Though there is no “one size fits all,” the technique is rather consistent. Every jurisdiction could have some peculiarities that occasionally call for original documentation and other times copies.

Not every nation follows the same rule book either. Though most are Hague Convention signatories, several are not on the list. Should your destination nation not be a member, you will need a different type of legalization—one that helps the DMV present a welcoming image. Apostille quick cuts for tiresome validation.

Years of hair-pulling can be turned into a reasonable chore with apostille services. Think of immigrant families moving for employment. Transcripts for the children, marriage records, power of attorney—the list goes on—they regularly deal with heaps of documentation. With an apostille, marking these criteria becomes feasible without reading reams of convoluted legal language.