Apostille for University Diploma

University Diploma Apostille for Employment or Study Abroad

Updated: April 2026 · Written by the Apostilla Antecedentes team

Get your university degree apostilled for international employers, graduate school applications, or professional licensing abroad. We handle notarization requirements, apostille submission, and certified translation. Free document review.

  • Notarization included if required
  • All US states covered
  • Certified translation available
  • Free document review
Laura Chen
Reviewed byLaura ChenLegal Document Expert

What do you need the diploma apostille for?

Step 1 of 4

Where was your diploma issued?

Apostilling a university diploma: what makes it different

Unlike birth or marriage certificates — which are issued by government vital records offices and follow a straightforward apostille process — university diplomas are issued by private or public educational institutions. This means the apostille process often has an additional step: depending on the state, the diploma may need to be notarized first before the Secretary of State will apostille it.

Getting this wrong is one of the most common causes of rejection and delays. Our free document review confirms the exact steps required for your specific diploma and destination country before we start.

An apostilled diploma may be required for:

  • International employment — foreign employers and HR departments may verify degrees through apostilled originals; confirm the employer's requirement first
  • Graduate school applications abroad — some universities in Spain, Italy, France, and Germany may request apostilled source documents; each institution sets its own admission rules
  • Professional licensing and credential recognition — medical boards, bar associations, engineering bodies, and other licensing authorities may require apostilled diplomas; check the specific body's rules
  • Immigration and visa applications — some skilled worker and highly qualified person visas request proof of educational qualifications; verify the current checklist

Who needs this service?

💼 Professionals working abroad

Starting a new job in another country? Some employers, universities and licensing authorities may request authenticated academic records; check the recipient's exact requirements before ordering an apostille. We prepare your degree for use in Spain, Italy, the UK, Canada, Australia, and beyond.

🎓 Applying to universities abroad

Graduate school applications and university transfers may require an apostilled original degree or diploma — some universities request authenticated source documents, and each institution sets its own admission rules. We process this alongside an apostille for your transcripts for a complete academic package.

📋 Professional licensing applicants

Medical, legal, engineering, and other regulated professions require credential verification abroad. Some foreign licensing bodies and professional associations may require an apostilled diploma — confirm the specific body's requirements before ordering.

Required documents

DocumentIssuing authorityEstimated timeNotes
Original university diploma or notarized copy University / degree-granting institution As issued by the university Must bear the university's official seal and authorized signature. Some jurisdictions require notarization before apostille — we advise based on your specific institution and destination.
Notarization (if required) Notary Public 1–2 business days Required in some US states before the Secretary of State will apostille a university diploma. We confirm whether this step is needed for your specific state.
Apostille certificate Secretary of State (US) or national apostille authority Per the competent authority's currently published processing times Attached to the diploma or notarized copy. Processing time depends on the issuing authority, the document and the submission method — check the issuing office's current processing queue before estimating a completion date.
Certified translation (if required) Sworn / certified translator Depends on the translator's schedule and the document volume; confirmed per document Required for submission to foreign employers, universities, or licensing bodies in non-English-speaking countries.
Copy of valid passport Applicant Current Name on the diploma must match exactly. Variations (middle name, accents) may require additional documentation.

How the process works

1

Send us a scan of your diploma. We confirm whether notarization is required prior to apostille (this varies by state and destination country), identify the correct apostille authority, and provide a full timeline and quote.

2

If your state requires notarization before apostille, we coordinate this step — either through our partner notaries or by guiding you to a local notary. We review the notarized copy before submission to the state office.

3

We submit your diploma (or notarized copy) to the Secretary of State of the relevant state and track progress through the state office. You receive status updates throughout.

4

If a certified translation is required for your destination, we arrange it after the apostille is attached. Final documents are delivered by express tracked courier — ready for foreign employers, universities, or licensing bodies.

Example scenarios

Illustrative examples based on common situations; names and details are changed.

IE
Indian Expat, Hong Kong

from India to France

Apostille
The problem was…

An Indian expat living in Hong Kong had their Indian birth certificate notarized and apostilled by Hong Kong authorities, but France rejected it.

We solved it…

Documents can only be apostilled by the competent authority of the country that originally issued them. The applicant had to restart the process in India.

Result

In this example, the application was resubmitted with the correct apostille from India — the issuing country's competent authority.

CA
California Applicant

from USA to International

Apostille
The problem was…

A private affidavit notarized by a California notary was rejected for a state apostille because the notary stamped their seal on a blank white space instead of over the printed text of the affidavit.

We solved it…

The applicant had to reprint a fresh original of the private affidavit and ensure the notary followed state-specific seal placement guidelines perfectly before resubmitting.

Result

In this example, the document was resubmitted with the correct notary seal placement for the state office to review.

WS
Wrong State Apostille

from USA to Mexico

Apostille
The problem was…

A user paid a third-party service for a California birth certificate apostille, but received a Kansas apostille attached by a proxy notary, which was rejected in Mexico.

We solved it…

The applicant had to dispute the credit card charge and apply properly directly through the California Secretary of State.

Result

In this example, the fix is to dispute the third-party charge and apply directly through the California Secretary of State.

View all cases →

Official sources & authorities

Information on this page is based on procedures from recognized government and intergovernmental bodies — not third-party estimates.

Hague Apostille Convention (HCCH) The 1961 treaty establishing the apostille system. Educational documents including diplomas are among the most frequently apostilled document types. View source →
NACES — National Association of Credential Evaluation Services US directory of credential evaluation services that assess foreign credentials. Some evaluators may request apostilled source documents — each evaluator sets its own rules, so check the specific evaluator's requirements. View source →
California Secretary of State — Apostille FAQs Official example of what an apostille certifies: the signature and seal of the public official or notary, not the content or validity of the underlying document. View source →

Related guides

Guide
How to apostille a university diploma for work abroad (2026)Laura Chen · 2026
→Guide
Diploma homologation in Spain: apostille is just the first stepLaura Chen · 2026
→

Related services

📄Apostille for academic transcriptsOften required alongside the diploma — apostille for official academic transcripts🖊️Apostille for notarized documentsApostille for other notarized documents used abroad🔏All apostille servicesFull list of document types we apostille🌐Certified translationSworn certified translations for diplomas and academic documents
Laura Chen

Reviewed by

Laura Chen

Legal Document Expert

Specialist in documents for the English-speaking market with a focus on fast and secure processing.

View full profile →

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to notarize my diploma before getting an apostille?

It depends on the state where the university is located. Some US states will apostille an original diploma bearing the university's official seal directly. Others require the diploma to be notarized first — where a notary certifies the document and the Secretary of State then apostilles the notary's signature. We confirm the exact requirement for your state in our free document review.

Who apostilles a US university diploma?

The Secretary of State of the state where the university is located — or where the notarization was performed if notarization was required. For example, a diploma from a Texas university is handled through the Texas Secretary of State. We verify the correct state office for each document and submit through its published official route.

Can I apostille a copy of my diploma or does it need to be the original?

Many state offices require the original diploma or a certified copy issued by the university. A plain photocopy cannot be apostilled directly; under state-specific requirements, some offices instead accept a properly notarized copy or a notarized affidavit of the record. If your original diploma is irreplaceable and you're hesitant to send it, we can advise on obtaining a certified replacement copy from your university that can be apostilled without risk to your original.

How long does it take to apostille a university diploma?

Processing time depends on the state, document authentication requirements and submission method — there is no universal turnaround. Confirm the issuing office's current processing queue before estimating a completion date. We verify the current schedule for your specific state at case review.

Do I need an apostille on my diploma AND my transcripts?

Often yes — for graduate school admissions, employment, or licensing purposes abroad, some receiving bodies need apostilles on both the diploma and the official transcripts, though it always depends on that body's document rules — check their requirements first. Each is a separate document and needs its own apostille when both are requested. We handle both in a single coordinated order to save time.

Will an apostille make my degree valid for work in another country?

An apostille certifies the origin of the public document (signature, capacity and seal), not the authenticity of the academic qualification, its contents or professional recognition. For regulated professions (medicine, law, engineering), a separate homologation or credential recognition process is typically required by the destination country's licensing authority. We advise on the full process and can connect you with credential evaluation services.

Can you apostille a diploma from another country?

Yes. We apostille diplomas issued in Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Spain, and many other Hague Convention countries. Procedures and authorities differ by country — we manage the complete process regardless of where your degree was issued.

How much does it cost to apostille a university diploma?

Our diploma apostille service starts at $89. With notarization (if required): from $129. With certified translation included: from $159. Prices vary by state and urgency. Contact us for a precise quote based on your specific diploma and destination.

Laura Chen
Laura Chen Legal Document Expert
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