You have a U.S. document and an institution abroad that will only accept it with an apostille. A small mistake at the start can cost you weeks.
What an apostille actually is
An apostille is a certificate attached to a public document. It confirms that the signature, seal or stamp is genuine, so countries in the Hague Apostille Convention accept it without further legalization. It does not certify that the document's content is true.
Which authority issues it
- New Jersey documents (notarized by a New Jersey notary, vital records, business filings) are apostilled by the state office in Trenton.
- Federal documents (issued by a federal agency) go through the U.S. Department of State.
- Documents from another state are apostilled by that state.
The wrong authority is the most common cause of delay, so we identify the right one first.
Steps for a notarized document
- Review: is the document complete, in the right format, and signed by the right person?
- Signature and notarization: in wet ink when the destination requires an original, by a New Jersey commissioned notary.
- Submission in Trenton with the required request and fee.
- Collection of the apostilled document.
- Scan and shipping: a copy of every page the same day, then the original by DHL Express, FedEx or USPS with tracking.
Countries outside the Convention
If the destination country is not part of the convention, it usually requires state authentication, sometimes federal authentication, then legalization by its embassy or consulate. Ask the receiving institution which path it accepts.
Mistakes that send a document back
- A signature that does not match the printed name.
- A notarial certificate missing or incomplete.
- A copy sent where an original was wanted, or the reverse.
- No room in the timeline for shipping and customs.
Managed apostille or courier?
A courier carries paper. A managed apostille means one person owns the whole chain: review, execution, submission, custody and delivery. At TR Signing Group, managed New Jersey apostille execution starts at $1,000, with priority and dedicated-day options for tight deadlines. Every engagement is quoted after review.
Ready when you are
Services for this guide
NJ Apostille & International Execution
Managed New Jersey apostille and international document execution: review, wet ink, notarization, submission in Trenton, custody, scanback and DHL return worldwide. From $1,000, quoted.
Dedicated / Rush Execution Day
When the deadline is tight and the stakes are high, book the day, not the stamp. A full day of TRSG time for one client: review, printing, wet ink, Trenton, custody, scanback. From $1,500.
International Mailing from the U.S.
Original documents shipped from New Jersey to anywhere in the world by DHL Express, FedEx or USPS, with tracking and a scan before departure. Ideal for apostilled and notarized documents.
Print / Wet Ink / Scanback / Mail
We print your document in the U.S., handle wet-ink signing and notarization, scan it back the same day and mail the originals with tracking. For clients abroad and busy professionals.
Not sure which one? Book a free 15-minute video call
Questions we hear often
Does an apostille translate my document?
No. An apostille certifies a signature or seal. Any translation is a separate step, often done before notarization.
Can a document notarized online get a New Jersey apostille?
It depends on the document and on what the destination accepts. We check both before the session.
Notary and document-execution services only. TR Signing Group does not provide legal, tax or immigration advice and is not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency.