What is an Apostille?

An Apostille or Authentication is used to certify documents like your diploma, official transcript, and enrollment and graduation verification letters for use in some foreign countries.

The Apostille or Authentication confirms the signature and position of the official who has executed, issued, or certified a copy of a document like those listed above.

You will only need to obtain an Apostille or Authentication if the organization receiving your documents requires you to provide one.

You should check with the country where you’ll be working or studying to confirm you need to complete this step.

Step 1: Getting Started - Notarize Documents

To begin the Apostille or Authentication process you will need to have your transcript, verification, and/or diploma notarized.

On behalf of the Registrar, StudentLink can notarize documents for you.

For a transcript, enrollment verification letter, or diploma copy*:

  • Complete the Request to Notarize NYU Documents for Apostille form.
  • Email your signed form as an attachment from your NYU email address to certifications@nyu.edu with the subject line “Notary Request.”
    • For requests to have a diploma copy notarized, you must attach a scanned copy of your diploma to the email with the completed request form.
    *Diploma copy= Because students are only given one, original diploma, we only notarize copies of students' diplomas.

Step 2: Obtain your notarized documents.

  • Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a suspension of in-person document pickup. Students will be required to provide an address to which notarized documents can be mailed. 
NOTE: NYU will complete the first step of the Apostille process, notarizing the document. If you are not currently in the NYC area, we can send notarized documents to an Apostille service agency, as directed by you, and they may complete the remaining steps of the Apostille process. Because we cannot endorse a particular agency, we typically recommend that Alumni perform a web search for "Apostille Services." Please note that as these agencies are not affiliated with NYU and that they are for-hire agencies, there will be a fee at their discretion.
 

Step 3: Certify with the County Clerk

When you have your notarized document, take it to the County Clerk’s office to have the signature of the notary public certified.

Service is first come first served. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 9am-5pm. Learn more about the County Clerk’s office before your visit.

The County Clerk’s office is located at:

New York County Clerk
Notary Section
60 Centre Street
Room 141B Basement
New York, NY

You can also mail your notarized document to the Albany office (same day service not available at this location):

New York Department of State
Division of Licensing Services
Apostille and Authentication Unit
PO Box 22001
Albany, NY 12201-2001

You will be charged a per document fee by the County Clerk’s office.

Step 4: Go to the NY Department of State to Receive the Apostille

After your document has been certified by the County Clerk’s office, you must take it to the New York Department of State. This office will affix the Apostille to your documents.

You can visit the New York Department of State Monday through Friday from 9am-3:30pm. Learn more about the New York Department of State’s office before your visit.

The New York Department of State is located at:

New York Secretary of State
Certification Unit
123 William Street
19th Floor
New York, NY 10038

The Department of State also charges a per document fee.

If the foreign country where you will be working or studying accepts an Apostille, your document is now certified for use.

Step 5: Further Authentication

Some foreign countries require the document to be authenticated in addition to receiving an Apostille.

If your document requires authentication, you must take it to the United States Department of State, Authentications Office.

The Authentications Office will authenticate the document by issuing a certificate under the Seal of the U.S. Department of State.

The U.S. Department of State is located at:

U.S. Department of State
Authentications Office
518 23rd St NW
SA-1
Washington, DC 20520

Learn more about how to make an appointment, necessary forms, and business hours at the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Authentications.

The Department of State has a per document fee, as well.

Additional Information About An Apostille

The United States is part of the 1961 Hague Convention abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents. The Convention provides for the simplified certification of public (including notarized) documents to be used in countries that have joined the convention. Under the Hague Convention, signatory countries have agreed to recognize public documents issued by other signatory countries if those public documents are authenticated by the attachment of an internationally recognized form of authentication known as an "apostille." The apostille ensures that public documents issued in one signatory country will be recognized as valid in another signatory country.

Additional Information About Authentication

Countries that are not signatories to the Hague Convention may require that the documents undergo an additional step for obtaining an "authentication." The authentication validates the document for use in the foreign country.