You should be asked key details about your document, such as its type, whether it’s an original or a copy, its issue date, and the name and position of the signing official. Alternatively, you may be asked to email or fax it for evaluation. A reputable apostille company won’t accept just any document.

Also, ask where their privacy policy is listed on their website. Ensure your personal information won’t be collected, stored, or shared with third parties.

We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information. We do not maintain any databases containing names, email addresses, or other personal identifiers.You will never get any marketing emails or calls from us. Any information collected during your interaction with Foreign Documents Express is used solely for the purpose of responding to your request. We do not share or sell your information to third parties. If you have any concerns about your privacy or data security, please contact us.

You should be offered multiple options for shipping your documents back to you or to any address you will provide. The return shipment should be trackable so that you know when your documents are shipped and when to expect the package.

We use USPS Priority mail (free within the U.S.), FedEx 2nd day (U.S.), FedEx standard overnight (U.S.), FedEx International, DHL Worldwide. You can also provide your prepaid shipping label for the return shipment.

This is a good practice not many apostille companies follow. You should be able to see what you are getting before your apostilled documents are shipped to you. Scanned copies by email should be free.

We always email the scanned copies of the apostilled/legalized documents before we ship them to you. This service is free.

Beware of Online Apostille Scams: Protect Your Documents

A rising issue in the apostille industry involves fraudulent websites claiming to offer unrealistically quick and easy apostille services. These sites often promise to process apostilles in a matter of hours but end up delivering either no apostille or a fake certificate. Consumers who fall for these scams may end up losing both money and important documents.

How to Avoid Online Apostille Scams:

Watch for unusually high or unusually low fees: If a service charges much more or much less than typical providers, it could be a scam.

Beware of fast processing promises: Websites claiming they can complete the apostille in an unrealistic timeframe (e.g., in hours or even in minutes) are fraudulent.

Example from Google: "apostilles for documents certified online with our partner notaries, usually available within minutes"

Be cautious of guarantees: Scams often claim to guarantee apostilles on all documents, regardless of type or complexity, without document evaluation.

Example from Google: Whether you need to apostille a birth certificate, a marriage certificate, an educational diploma, or other vital record (!?), our online platform provides a simple, secure and affordable solution. The entire process takes only 5 minutes, and you’ll receive your document with an Apostille stamp within 24 hours.

Sensitive information requests: Avoid services that ask for sensitive personal data without clear justification. You do not need to verify your identity in order to get apostilles for your documents!

Example from Google: "Step 1: Upload your document. Step 2: Checkout. Step 3: Verify your identity (!!)"

More signs of common apostille scams include:

• Offering "digital certification" as a service, which indicates the service may not be legitimate.
• Claiming to provide "accredited" apostille services, despite no such accreditation existing.
• Issuing apostilles for scanned copies without clarifying the process or specifying the U.S. state issuing the apostille.
• Promising apostilles for any scanned documents (including vital records) by merely attaching a notarized "custodian certificate."
• Requiring upfront payment before reviewing the documents.

To protect your documents, always use a trusted, recognized agency when obtaining an apostille to ensure legal authenticity and acceptance abroad.