APVI — American Passport & Visa International
    An apostille certificate with gold embossed seal, red ribbon, notary stamp, and fountain pen on a marble desk
    Apostille · Legalization · Authentication

    Authenticate your documents for use abroad.

    APVI helps individuals, law firms, and companies prepare documents for international use through apostille, state authentication, federal authentication, and embassy legalization workflows.

    Processing
    As fast as 24 Hours at $599

    Timing varies by document type, state, federal agency, embassy, and destination country.

    Starting Price
    Apostille service starting at $149

    Service, government, embassy, and shipping fees are shown before payment where applicable.

    Questions? Speak with an authentication specialist: (800) 766-0452

    TrustScore 5/5 306 reviews

    Reviewed by APVI customers on Trustpilot

    All 50 States · Federal Authentication · Embassy Legalization · Specialist Review

    Which authentication service do you need?

    Apostille, authentication, or embassy legalization? APVI helps you choose the right path.

    The right process depends on the document type, where it was issued, and the country where it will be used. APVI confirms the correct authentication chain before your documents move forward.

    Apostille

    For documents going to countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention.

    Best for: Birth certificates, marriage certificates, diplomas, FBI background checks, corporate documents, and notarized documents where apostille is accepted.

    Start Apostille Order

    Federal Authentication

    For documents that require U.S. Department of State or federal-level authentication.

    Best for: FBI background checks, federal documents, and documents requiring federal authentication before use abroad.

    Start Federal Authentication

    Embassy Legalization

    For documents going to countries that require embassy or consular legalization instead of, or in addition to, apostille.

    Best for: Non-Hague countries, corporate documents, personal documents, commercial documents, and embassy-required workflows.

    Start Embassy Legalization

    Not Sure Yet?

    Tell APVI your document type and destination country. An authentication specialist can help confirm the right process.

    Talk to a Specialist · (800) 766-0452
    What we authenticate

    Personal, professional, academic, and corporate documents.

    APVI supports a wide range of documents for international use. Requirements vary by document type, issuing authority, and destination country.

    Personal Documents

    • Birth certificates
    • Marriage certificates
    • Divorce decrees
    • Death certificates
    • Name-change documents
    • Adoption documents

    Education Documents

    • Diplomas
    • Transcripts
    • Enrollment letters
    • Academic records
    • Teaching credentials

    Background Checks

    • FBI background checks
    • Local police records
    • State background checks, where applicable

    Corporate Documents

    • Articles of incorporation
    • Certificates of good standing
    • Powers of attorney
    • Board resolutions
    • Commercial invoices
    • Company letters

    Legal & Court Documents

    • Court orders
    • Affidavits
    • Notarized statements
    • Certified copies
    • Legal declarations

    Medical / Professional Documents

    • Medical letters
    • Professional licenses
    • Employment letters
    • Experience letters
    • Authorization letters
    Processing & fees

    Clear pricing and timelines before you send originals.

    Authentication timelines and fees depend on the document type, issuing state, destination country, and whether state, federal, or embassy legalization is required.

    Apostille Services

    Processing
    As fast as 24 Hours at $599, where applicable
    Price
    Starting at $149

    For documents going to Hague Apostille Convention countries.

    Federal Authentication

    Processing
    Timeline varies by federal agency
    Price
    Starting at $149

    For FBI background checks and federal documents requiring U.S. Department of State authentication.

    Embassy Legalization

    Processing
    Timeline varies by embassy
    Price
    Quote based on destination and document type

    For countries requiring embassy or consular legalization.

    Corporate Document Packages

    Processing
    Timeline varies
    Price
    Quote based on volume and destination

    For companies, law firms, HR teams, and organizations authenticating multiple documents.

    Government, state, federal, embassy, consular, shipping, and third-party fees may vary by destination and document type. APVI confirms the required chain before your order moves forward.

    How it works

    A guided authentication process from review to return delivery.

    APVI helps confirm the right chain, reviews your documents, manages required submissions, and returns your authenticated documents using the selected delivery method.

    01

    Start your authentication order

    Tell APVI your document type, issuing authority, and destination country.

    02

    Upload documents for specialist review

    Securely upload copies or scans so an APVI authentication specialist can confirm the likely process before originals are shipped.

    03

    Receive shipping instructions

    APVI confirms what originals are needed and provides shipping instructions or a prepaid FedEx label where applicable.

    04

    APVI handles the authentication chain

    APVI coordinates the required state, federal, and embassy legalization steps based on your document and destination.

    05

    Receive authenticated documents

    Your completed documents are returned using the selected delivery method, ready for the next step in your international process.

    Not sure where to start?

    An authentication specialist can confirm the likely chain for your document and destination.

    (800) 766-0452
    Apostille vs. embassy legalization

    The destination country determines the process.

    Some countries accept an apostille. Others require a longer chain that may include state authentication, federal authentication, and embassy legalization.

    Apostille

    • Used for Hague Apostille Convention countries
    • Usually issued by a state authority or federal authority depending on document type
    • Often simpler than embassy legalization
    • Still must match the document type and issuing authority

    Embassy Legalization

    • Used for many non-Hague countries
    • May require notarization, state authentication, federal authentication, and embassy legalization
    • Embassy requirements vary by country
    • Mistakes in order or seals can delay acceptance

    Not sure which one applies? Call (800) 766-0452.

    Authenticated documents with a notary seal, gold apostille ribbon, and a closed passport on a marble desk
    Why APVI

    Authentication chains are detail work. APVI helps get the sequence right.

    One missing seal or incorrect sequence can delay acceptance abroad. APVI helps confirm the correct chain before submission.

    • Authentication specialist review before submission
    • State, federal, and embassy legalization support
    • Experience with state-level authentication workflows across all 50 states
    • Destination-specific chain guidance
    • Secure document upload and FedEx shipping guidance
    • Status updates from start to finish, with support for individuals, law firms, companies, and organizations
    Start My Authentication
    By the numbers

    The experience behind every authentication.

    Since 2003
    Serving travelers, businesses, law firms, and organizations
    All 50 States
    Plus federal and embassy legalization support
    BBB A+
    Accredited, with Trustpilot and Google review proof
    Apostille support in all 50 states
    Plus federal and embassy legalization workflows
    BBB A+ Accredited
    Serving customers since 2003
    256-bit SSL Secured
    Encrypted document upload
    Organizations we've supported

    Trusted by companies, law firms, and institutions.

    Amazon logo
    Alphabet logo
    Walmart logo
    Costco logo
    AT&T logo
    Chevron logo
    ExxonMobil logo
    BP logo
    Total logo
    Honda logo
    Deloitte logo
    Harvard logo
    DIY vs. APVI

    Authentication is easy to get wrong when the chain is unclear.

    Choosing apostille vs legalization, issuing authority, notarization, state authentication, federal authentication, embassy legalization, destination-country rules, shipping and tracking — every step has to line up.

    Without APVI

    The DIY path

    • You determine the process yourself
    • You may not know whether the document needs state, federal, or embassy steps
    • Requirements vary by destination country
    • One missing seal or wrong sequence can delay the process
    • You manage shipping and status updates yourself
    With APVI

    The APVI path

    • APVI helps confirm the correct chain
    • An authentication specialist reviews your document path
    • APVI coordinates required state, federal, and embassy steps where applicable
    • You receive shipping guidance and status updates
    • Real human support is available
    Corporate & legal document support

    Authentication support for law firms, HR teams, universities, and companies.

    APVI helps organizations authenticate documents for international use, employee mobility, overseas business, academic programs, and legal matters.

    Law Firms

    Support for client documents, court documents, affidavits, powers of attorney, and international filings.

    Corporate Teams

    Support for certificates of good standing, articles of incorporation, commercial documents, and powers of attorney.

    HR & Global Mobility

    Support for employee documents, background checks, employment letters, and relocation-related documents.

    Universities & Schools

    Support for diplomas, transcripts, enrollment letters, faculty documents, and student travel documents.

    Secure document handling

    Sensitive documents deserve organized handling.

    Authentication work often requires original documents, certified copies, notarized documents, or background checks. APVI combines secure uploads, shipping guidance, specialist review, and status updates.

    Secure upload
    256-bit SSL encrypted document upload
    Specialist review
    Reviewed before submission
    FedEx shipping guidance
    Clear instructions for originals
    Status updates
    From intake to return delivery
    Original document handling
    Tracked and organized
    Human support
    Reach a specialist by phone
    Customer stories

    Documents prepared for international use, without the runaround.

    APVI customers rely on specialist guidance when apostille, authentication, and legalization requirements become confusing or time-sensitive.

    "I needed three documents apostilled for a Spanish marriage license — fast. APVI got them done in 4 days and walked me through every step."
    Carla M.
    Trustpilot review · 5 stars
    "Our law firm uses APVI for the international corporate documents we authenticate. Clear instructions and consistent follow-through."
    Brian R., Esq.
    Trustpilot review · 5 stars
    "The Saudi embassy chain is confusing. APVI told me exactly what to send and handled the steps in the right order."
    Joshua P.
    Trustpilot review · 5 stars
    Frequently asked

    Apostille and authentication questions, answered.

    Still have questions? Call us at (800) 766-0452.

    An apostille is a certificate used to authenticate certain documents for use in countries that accept apostilles. The correct apostille authority depends on the document type and issuing authority.
    Pricing depends on the document category. Federal, standard business, and state-issued personal records are each priced separately, and every option is shown with its own processing time and fees before checkout.
    Personal and vital records — birth, marriage, death, divorce, adoption, and name-change documents — are processed through the state that issued them. Each state sets its own fees and processing times, so pricing depends on the issuing state rather than a single flat rate.
    No. FBI Background Checks are federal documents handled through the federal apostille process, so there is no state selection. The available processing options are shown in the order flow.
    That is common and not a problem. The apostille is issued by the state that issued, notarized, or certified the document, not the state you live in. APVI helps confirm the correct state before anything is submitted.
    It depends on the destination country, document type, and issuing authority. APVI can help confirm whether your document needs an apostille, federal authentication, or embassy legalization.
    Apostilles are generally used for Hague Apostille Convention countries. Embassy legalization may be required for countries that do not accept apostilles or require additional embassy steps.
    APVI can assist with many personal, academic, legal, corporate, and federal documents where eligible, including birth certificates, marriage certificates, diplomas, FBI background checks, corporate documents, and notarized documents.
    Processing time varies by state, document type, issuing authority, destination country, shipping, and whether federal or embassy steps are required. Your available options and their timelines are shown in the order flow.
    FBI Background Checks follow the federal apostille process. The available processing options and their timelines are shown on the FBI apostille page and in the order flow.
    Some apostille services require originals or certified copies. APVI will confirm what must be sent after reviewing your document type and destination.
    Yes. FBI Background Checks are handled through the federal apostille process — no state selection is required. The processing options are shown on the FBI apostille page.
    Yes, APVI supports corporate document apostille and authentication for companies, law firms, HR teams, and organizations.
    Yes. Non-Hague countries may require embassy legalization or a longer authentication chain. APVI helps identify the required process.
    No. APVI is a private passport, visa, apostille, and document authentication company.
    No. Final acceptance is determined by the receiving foreign authority, embassy, consulate, or organization. APVI helps reduce preventable errors by confirming the required apostille or authentication path before submission.
    Yes. Call APVI at (800) 766-0452.
    An apostille is generally used for countries that accept Hague Apostille Convention documents. Authentication or legalization may be required for countries that need a longer state, federal, or embassy chain.
    It depends on the destination country, document type, and issuing authority. APVI can help confirm the correct chain.
    APVI can assist with many personal, academic, legal, corporate, and federal documents where eligible, including birth certificates, marriage certificates, diplomas, FBI background checks, corporate documents, and notarized documents.
    It depends on the document category and the destination country. Apostille documents follow the processing options shown for that category; documents needing embassy legalization take longer and vary by embassy. Your available options and their timelines are shown in the order flow.
    Pricing depends on the document category and the destination country. The available options, their processing times and their fees are shown before checkout.
    Yes. Call APVI at (800) 766-0452.
    Get started today

    Start your document authentication with APVI.

    Tell us your document type and destination country. APVI will help confirm the correct apostille, authentication, or embassy legalization path.

    Final acceptance is determined by the receiving foreign authority, embassy, consulate, or organization.

    Roles and responsibilities

    What APVI Does and What the Government Authority Does

    APVI helps manage the process. Secretary of State offices, the U.S. Department of State, and embassies issue the authentications.

    What APVI does

    • Reviews documents, copies, and the required authentication path
    • Confirms the order of steps for the destination country
    • Prepares and tracks submissions to the correct offices
    • Handles courier submission and pickup where eligible
    • Provides status updates and human support

    What the government authority does

    • Reviews each document and verifies the signature or seal
    • Determines whether the apostille or authentication is issued
    • Sets state, federal, embassy, and consular fees
    • Controls processing times
    • Issues the apostille or authentication certificate

    APVI is a private document authentication company, not a government agency. You may submit documents directly to the issuing authority without using APVI.

    Before you order

    Who We Are and What That Means for You

    No. APVI is a private document authentication and apostille services company. APVI is not the U.S. Department of State, a Secretary of State office, an embassy, or a consulate.
    Yes. You may submit documents directly to the relevant Secretary of State office, the U.S. Department of State, or an embassy or consulate without using APVI. APVI is an optional private service for people who want document review, coordination, courier handling where eligible, and human support.
    No. State, federal, embassy, and consular fees are shown separately from APVI service fees. Shipping options are selected in the order form.
    No. Issuance is determined by the government authority, and acceptance abroad is determined by the receiving party. APVI helps reduce preventable document mistakes through specialist review and process guidance.

    APVI is a private document authentication and apostille services company. APVI is not the U.S. Department of State, a Secretary of State office, an embassy, or a consulate, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government. You may submit documents directly to the issuing authority without using APVI. APVI service fees are separate from state, federal, embassy, and consular fees.