How to apostille a Delaware corporate document
Delaware can apostille or authenticate eligible documents bearing a Delaware public official's signature. The destination country determines which route applies, and filed documents must be certified correctly before apostille.
The destination determines the certificate
Delaware describes an apostille as the route for documents destined for Hague Convention members and authentication as the route for non-member destinations. The receiving country may impose further steps, so confirm its requirements before requesting the service.
The request must state the country where the document will be used. Registly treats the destination as a required fulfillment fact, not an optional shipping detail.
Use an eligible Delaware official document
The Division can apostille documents bearing a Delaware public official's signature. For documents filed with the Secretary of State, each filed document must be certified separately; Delaware says a one-cover certification is not acceptable for apostille issuance.
Photocopies, out-of-state documents, federal documents, and foreign-issued documents are among the categories the Delaware Division says it cannot apostille or authenticate.
Do not confuse a corporate certificate with a notary certificate
A corporate good-standing certificate concerns the business entity. A notary good-standing certificate concerns a Delaware notary's appointment. They solve different requirements and should not be substituted for one another.
Recommended ordering sequence
- 01Confirm the destination country and receiving institution's instructions.
- 02Identify every corporate certificate or filed document that must be legalized.
- 03Order each filed document with its own Delaware certification when required.
- 04Request apostille or authentication based on the destination route.
- 05Track authority processing and international delivery separately.
Common questions
Is an apostille always the right product for foreign use?
No. Delaware distinguishes apostilles for Hague Convention destinations from authentications for non-member destinations.
Can several filed documents share one certification?
Not for this purpose. Delaware says each filed document must be certified separately for apostille issuance.
Can Delaware apostille a photocopy?
The Division lists photocopied documents among the documents it cannot apostille or authenticate.