Need a Hawaiʻi document used in another country?
If someone told you that your document needs an apostille or certification, you do not have to figure out the process by yourself. Tell us what document you have and what country it will be used in, and we can help explain the current government processing steps that may apply.
Three simple steps.
You do not need to know which office, certification or process applies before contacting us.
Tell Us What You Have
Send us the document type, the country where it will be used, and any deadline you have. A clear photo or secure upload is usually enough for us to start reviewing the request.
We Help Explain the Steps
We can explain the current published government processing steps that may apply to the document you have. Some documents go through different government offices or certification steps before an apostille can be issued.
We Help With the Process
If you choose our assistance, we can assist with the notary and local processing steps that apply to your request and coordinate return of the documents. The apostille itself is issued by the government—not by Oahu Notary Services—and the receiving country or organization determines whether the final document will be accepted.
Start with these four things.
- What is the document? For example: power of attorney, diploma, birth certificate, affidavit or background check.
- What country will use it?
- What do you currently have? Original, certified copy, regular copy or already-notarized document.
- When do you need it? Tell us your deadline and whether you need pickup, local return or shipping.
Not sure how to answer one of these? That is okay. Send us what you know and we can start there.
Start with a document review.
For sensitive documents, use the secure upload. Then text or email us with the destination country and your deadline.
The document type changes the process.
Private / Notarized Documents
Documents such as powers of attorney, affidavits, school records or other private documents often need a Hawaiʻi notarization and additional verification before the State can issue the apostille.
Birth, Marriage & Death Certificates
Hawaiʻi vital records follow a different government process from privately notarized documents. Send us a photo or the issue date and we can help explain the current published processing steps that may apply.
Federal Documents
Federal documents, such as an FBI background check, do not use the Hawaiʻi state apostille process. They generally follow the federal authentication process instead.
Common apostille questions.
Do I need to know whether I need an apostille or certification?
No. Tell us the country where the document will be used and what document you have. We can help explain the current published government authentication process that may apply. The receiving country or organization determines what it will accept.
Do you personally issue the apostille?
No. The government issues the apostille or certification. Oahu Notary Services can assist with notarization and the local processing steps that apply to your request.
Can I just send you a picture first?
Yes. For an initial review and quote, a clear photo or secure upload is often the easiest place to start. We can help explain the current government processing requirements for the document you have. Acceptance requirements should be confirmed with the country or organization receiving the document.
How long does it take?
Timing depends on the document and the government offices involved. Government processing times can change and are outside our control, so we will discuss the expected timing before you proceed.
What if I have no idea where to start?
That is completely fine. Text us the name of the document and the country where you need to use it. We can start with those two pieces of information.
One important thing to know
Oahu Notary Services does not issue apostilles. We provide notary and facilitation assistance for the steps that apply to your document.
We do not provide legal advice or determine whether a document is legally sufficient for its intended use. Questions about legal effect, document sufficiency or what the receiving party will accept should be confirmed with the receiving country, organization, attorney or document preparer, as appropriate.
The government decides whether an apostille or certification can be issued, and the receiving country or organization determines whether the final document will be accepted. Oahu Notary Services does not determine the legal sufficiency or acceptance of a document.
Not sure where to start?
Text us the document type and the country where it will be used. We’ll start from there.