Question 1

What is an apostille?

Accepted Answer

An apostille is an official certificate that authenticates the signature and seal on a public document so it can be legally recognized in another country that is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. Common documents include birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, diplomas, school transcripts, FBI background checks, powers of attorney, court documents, corporate documents, and notarized documents.

Question 2

What is the difference between an apostille and authentication?

Accepted Answer

An apostille is used for countries that participate in the Hague Apostille Convention. Authentication is used for countries that are not members of the Hague Convention and usually requires additional processing through the U.S. Department of State and the foreign embassy or consulate. We can help determine which process your destination country requires.

Question 3

Which countries accept apostilles?

Accepted Answer

More than 120 countries accept apostilles through the Hague Apostille Convention, including Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Greece, Mexico, Portugal, Netherlands, Australia, Japan, and South Korea. If you're unsure whether your destination country is a Hague member, contact us and we'll verify the requirements.

Question 4

How long does an apostille take?

Accepted Answer

Processing times depend on the document type, state of issuance, country requirements, and government processing times. Same-day service is available for NY State apostilles brought to our Manhattan office before 11am. Federal apostilles take 2–5 business days. Expedited services may be available for many documents — contact us for current turnaround estimates.

Question 5

Can you expedite my apostille?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Rush processing is available for many documents depending on the issuing authority and current government processing times. Same-day and next-day options are available for New York State documents. Contact us for current turnaround estimates and pricing.

Question 6

Can I apostille a photocopy?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes. Many photocopies must first be notarized before they can receive an apostille. Certain original government-issued documents require certified originals. We'll review your document and advise the correct process.

Question 7

Do I need the original document?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the document. Many government-issued records require original certified copies. Some notarized documents can be processed from properly notarized copies. We'll let you know exactly what is required once we review your specific document.

Question 8

Can I apostille a birth certificate?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Birth certificates are among the most common documents processed for apostille. Most states require recently issued certified copies — not photocopies or older versions. We handle New York birth certificates directly and can coordinate other states as well.

Question 9

Can I apostille my marriage certificate?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Marriage certificates issued by the appropriate government office are commonly apostilled for international use — for dual citizenship applications, name changes abroad, spousal visa applications, and more. We process New York marriage certificates same-day.

Question 10

Can I apostille a death certificate?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Certified death certificates can usually receive an apostille for use overseas — for estate matters, inheritance claims, pension applications, and other legal purposes in foreign countries.

Question 11

Can you apostille FBI background checks?

Accepted Answer

Yes. FBI Identity History Summary reports are commonly apostilled for immigration, employment, and residency applications abroad. FBI background checks require a federal apostille from the US Department of State in Washington, DC — we handle the entire process including walk-in service that cuts weeks off the standard timeline.

Question 12

Can you apostille corporate documents?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We assist businesses with apostilles for articles of incorporation, certificates of good standing, corporate resolutions, business agreements, powers of attorney, and commercial documents. We work with businesses of all sizes and can handle bulk orders.

Question 13

Do I have to appear in person?

Accepted Answer

No. Many clients mail their documents to us. Depending on the document, the entire process may be completed remotely. We accept documents by mail from clients throughout the United States and return them via FedEx or USPS with tracking.

Question 14

Can you notarize my document before obtaining the apostille?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If notarization is required before the apostille process, we can assist. We provide notary services in-office at all four of our locations. This is often required for personal documents, affidavits, and translated documents.

Question 15

Which states can you apostille documents from?

Accepted Answer

We handle apostilles on New York documents directly and can process documents from any US state through the appropriate Secretary of State. Turnaround varies by state — call for a quote on non-NY documents.

Question 16

What is a certified translation?

Accepted Answer

A certified translation is a complete and accurate translation accompanied by a signed certification stating that the translation is true and accurate to the best of the translator's knowledge. Many government agencies, universities, and courts require certified translations — including USCIS for all immigration applications.

Question 17

What documents can be translated?

Accepted Answer

We regularly translate birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, divorce decrees, diplomas, school transcripts, driver's licenses, passports, medical records, immigration documents, court records, contracts, and business documents — among many others.

Question 18

What languages do you support?

Accepted Answer

We work with professional translators covering over 100 major world languages, including Spanish, Russian, Arabic, Mandarin, Portuguese, French, Italian, Ukrainian, Hebrew, Korean, Polish, Turkish, Farsi, and every EU language. Contact us for language availability.

Question 19

Will my translation be accepted by USCIS?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Certified translations prepared according to USCIS requirements (8 CFR § 103.2(b)(3)) are accepted for immigration applications. Every translation we deliver comes with the signed Certificate of Translation Accuracy that USCIS requires.

Question 20

Can you translate and apostille my documents?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Many clients require both certified translation and apostille services. We can coordinate the complete process — translate the document, notarize the translator's certificate, then apostille that notarization — all in one visit or one mailing. Bundled turnaround is typically 2–3 business days.

Question 21

Do translations have to be notarized?

Accepted Answer

Not always. Many certified translations do not require notarization. If notarization is needed for your specific purpose — such as when the translation will itself be apostilled — we can assist with that step as well.

Question 22

Can I email my documents?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Many translation projects can begin from high-quality scans or photographs sent by email. For apostille services, we'll advise whether originals need to be mailed based on the specific document and destination country.

Question 23

How long do translations take?

Accepted Answer

Turnaround depends on document length, language pair, complexity, and whether rush service is needed. Standard certified translations are typically delivered within 24–48 hours. Same-day rush service is available for most documents.

Question 24

Is my information confidential?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Client confidentiality is extremely important to us. Your documents are handled securely and only used for completing your requested services. We do not share, sell, or distribute any client information or document contents.

Question 25

How much does an apostille cost?

Accepted Answer

Pricing depends on document type, state of issuance, government fees, shipping, rush processing, and number of documents. New York apostilles start at $275 for standard 3–5 day service. Contact us for a personalized quote based on your specific documents.

Question 26

How much do certified translations cost?

Accepted Answer

Translation pricing typically depends on the number of words, language pair, technical complexity, and rush service. We'll provide a quote before work begins — no surprises. Most single-page certified translations are completed the same day.

Question 27

Are there rush fees?

Accepted Answer

Same-day ($550) and next-day ($425) apostille service carry a rush surcharge. Standard 3–5 day turnaround ($275) has no rush fee. For translations, same-day rush is $295 and standard 24-hour service is $195. We'll quote both options upfront so you can choose.

Question 28

How do I get started?

Accepted Answer

Simply contact us or book online. We'll review your documents and explain what you need, the processing time, pricing, and next steps. You can reach us by phone at 646-838-3035, by email at info@fastpoa.com, or book directly through our website.

Question 29

Do you offer nationwide service?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Clients throughout the United States can mail documents to us. Many services can also begin electronically. We have four offices in the NYC metro area — Manhattan, Great Neck, Forest Hills, and Syosset — and serve clients in all 50 states.

Question 30

Why choose Apostille & Translations?

Accepted Answer

We focus on making complex international document requirements simple. Clients choose us because we offer professional guidance, fast communication, certified translations, apostille coordination, document review, convenient nationwide service, clear pricing, and personalized support. Our goal is to ensure your documents are properly prepared for international acceptance.

Question 31

Which countries require embassy attestation instead of an apostille?

Accepted Answer

Non-Hague Convention countries require embassy attestation — including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt, Vietnam, and several African and Middle Eastern nations. Documents for these destinations require US State Department authentication followed by legalization at the country's embassy or consulate.

Question 32

Do you handle the embassy legalization step?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We are couriered daily to the DC embassies and can walk your document through the entire chain: notarization → county clerk (if needed) → US State Department authentication → embassy legalization. You get one point of contact for the whole process.

Question 33

What's the difference between a federal apostille and a state apostille?

Accepted Answer

State apostilles (issued by a state Secretary of State) authenticate state-issued or state-notarized documents. Federal apostilles (issued by the US Department of State) authenticate federal documents — FBI background checks, IRS letters, US Patent Office documents, or any document notarized by a US Consul abroad.

Everything you need to know about apostille & certified translation.

Apostille

Certified Translation

Pricing & Turnaround

Embassy & Federal

General

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