# FAQs: Attesting Albania Documents > Frequently asked questions about authenticating documents and obtaining Apostille Stamps in #STATE3# - vital records, divorce judgements, certificates of good standing and degrees issued by #STATE3# universities. **Source** [FAQs - Authenticating Alabama documents](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/alabama-apostille-faqs)> **Related:** [Alabama Apostille Service](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/alabama-apostille-authentication) · [Apostille Alabama Vital Records](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/alabama-apostille-vital-records) · [Get a Quotation](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/Document-Attestation-Inquiry) --- ## General Questions ### How long does it take to obtain an apostille from Alabama? Alabama Apostilles can be obtained from the Secretary of State in **1 - 2 business days** (Alabama: Apostilles and Authentications can be obtained from the Alabama Secretary of the State in 1-2 business days (urgent service). NOTE: All processing times are estimated. Actual processing time is dependant on the authentication authority and is subject to change without prior notice.) (Urgent service) ### What documents can be certified in Alabama with an Apostille Stamp? Alabama Apostille Stamps can be obtained to authenticate documents with the official signature and seal of a currently commissioned Alabama notary public, probate judge, or the current Alabama State Registrar: - Alabama birth and death certificates (must be signed by the current Alabama State Registrar) - Alabama marriage and divorce certificates - Notarized school certificates and university diplomas - Ceritifcates of Existence, Certificates of Formation and certified copies of other company document filed with the Secretary of State - Alabama Background Checks - Other documents notarized by an Alabama notary public, including powers of attorney and affidavits - To confirm whether your document is valid for an Apostille Stamp, please [Contact Isarey](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/contact-Isarey) for a free document check. ### Will an apostille stamp from Alabama be accepted abroad? If documents are required for submission to the authorities or consulate of a signatory country of the [Hague Apostille Convention](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostille_Convention), an apostille stamp affixed by the Secretary of State of will generally be recognized directly as confirming authenticity, although a [certified translation](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/certified-sworn-translations) may also be required if presenting to a country that does not have English as an official language. If documents are required for presentation in a country that is not a signatory to the apostille convention (e.g. UAE, Qatar, Taiwan, Vietnam), then an apostille stamp is not valid. Documents will need to be authenticated at State level in , then by the State Department Authentication Division, and finally by the embassy or consulate of the destination country in the United States. A Certified Translation may also be required. ### Where can I find more information about certifying Alabama documents? For further information about apostilles and authentications, see: [Alabama Handbook for Authentications (PDF)](https://www.sos.alabama.gov/sites/default/files/Authentications%20Handbook.pdf) To obtain a quote for assistance submitting your documents, with free eligibility pre-check, international collection and delviery by courier, please [Contact Isarey](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/contact-Isarey) or send Isarey your documents using Isarey's [Online Quotation Form](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/Document-Attestation-Inquiry). ### What's the difference between an Alabama Apostille and an Authentication? Apostilles and Certifications (Authentication) essentially service the same purpose of certifying the authenticity of a public Alabama document for use abroad. Whether you need an Apostilles and Certification depends on the country where the Alabama document will be submitted. Both are issued by the Alabama Secretary of State. - An Alabama Apostille Stamp is required when Alabama documents are needed for a country which is a member of the [Hague Apostille Convention](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostille_Convention) (e.g. Spain, France, Saudi Arabia). An Apostille will be accepted directly in by the authorities of the recipient country. A Certification is required for documents that are to be submitted in other countries (which are not members of the Apostille Convention, such as the Thailand, UAE, Qatar, Taiwan. Generally, this Certification will not be accepted directly by the foreign recipient authority, but must be legalized by the U.S. Department of State and then by the embassy of the recipient country. - See Counties that accept Apostilles ### What is an Alabama Apostille Stamp and why would I need one? A Apostille is a certificate that is affixed by the Secretary of State to a public document. It certifies the authenticity of the signature appearing on the document as that of an authorized public official and confirms the capacity of that official (e.g. State Registrar, notary public). Apostille stamps are often required when submitting a document, such as a birth certificate, to the authorities of a foreign country or to a foreign embassy in the United States (for example, as part of a visa or citizenship application). Apostilles are recognised by the authorities and embassies of countries that are members of the [Hague Apostille Convention](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostille_Convention) For more information on Apostilles, see: - [The ABCs of Apostilles (PDF)](https://assets.hcch.net/upload/abc12e.pdf) - [Alabama Apostille and Authentication Services](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/alabama-apostille-authentication) ### Where can I see reviews of Isarey's Alabama Attestation and Apostille Services? You can see reviews from past clients who have used Isarey's attestation and apostille services: - [ISAREY reviews on Trustpilot](https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/isarey-document-attestation.com) - [ISAREY reviews on Google](https://goo.gl/maps/cuvbEYN25Xg5b8jg7) ### How can I obtain an Apostille Stamp to certify a document in Alabama for use abroad? Apostille Stamps to authenticate documents can be obtained from the Secretary of State. Apostille stamps are only valid for documents that are required for submission to countries that are signatories to the [Hague Apostille Convention](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostille_Convention) - [Alabama Apostille and Authentication Services](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/alabama-apostille-authentication) ### How do I legalize documents issued in Alabama for submission to countries that are not members of the Apostille Convention? documents that need to be authenticated for non-apostille countries (e.g. United Arab Emirates, Qatar) must be authenticated by the Secretary of State with an Authentication Certificate and then attested by the recipient country's embassy in the United States. Most embassies will also require an additional authentication the [U.S. Department of State](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/replace-certify-docs/authenticate-your-document/office-of-authentications.html) in Washington DC. - [Alabama Apostille and Authentication Services](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/alabama-apostille-authentication) ## Birth, death and marriage certificates ### How can I obtain a new certified copy of an Alabama birth, death or marriage certificate suitable for an Apostille? Alabama birth and death certificates must be signed by the current Alabama State Registrar to be valid for an Apostille. Certificates can be ordered online through VitalChek or by mail from the Alabama Center for Health Statistics. Alabama birth and death records are restricted. Only the person named on the certificate or a close relative may apply for a copy. - [VitalChek - Order Alabama vital records online](https://www.vitalchek.com/v/vital-records/alabama/alabama-vital-records) - [Birth Certificates - Alabama Public Health](https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/vitalrecords/birth-certificates.html) - [Death Certificates - Alabama Public Health](https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/vitalrecords/death-certificates.html) - [ID Requirements](https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/vitalrecords/id-requirements.html) - Alabama marriage certificates can be ordered online from VitalChek or by mail from the Center for Health Statistics. - [VitalChek - Order Alabama vital records online](https://www.vitalchek.com/v/vital-records/alabama/alabama-vital-records) ### How can I obtain an apostille on a vital record certificate issued in Alabama? Alabama birth, death and marriage certificates can be submitted to the Alabama Secretary of State for certification by apostille. All birth certificates and death certificates requiring an Apostille must bear the signature of the current Alabama State Registrar. Marriage certificates must be signed by the current Alabama State Registrar or County Clerk. The original certificate is required. ## Corporate documents ### How can I get an Apostille on an Alabama Certificate of Good Standing? A Certificate of Existence, certifying that an Alabama company is currently registered (not dissolved) and currently compliant with State requirements, can be obtained from the Alabama Secretary of State and then authenticated with an Alabama Apostille. [Order an Alabama Certificates of Existence](https://www.alabamainteractive.org/sos_eCertificate/welcome.action) ## Criminal record certificates ### How can I obtain an apostille on a background check from Alabama? Apostilles on Alabama Background Checks can be obtained from the Alabama Secretary of State. For information on obtaining your Alabama Background Checks, see: [Alabama Background Checks](https://www.alea.gov/sbi/criminal-justice-services/criminal-records/alabama-background-check) Note, however, that many countries will require an FBI background check as evidence of a lack of criminal record for immigration or visa purposes, see: [FBI Background Checks](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/-attest-background-checks) ## Academic documents ### How can I authenticate Alabama university degree certificates for use abroad? Alabama academic certificates and course transcripts must be notarized by an [Alabama Notary Public](https://www.sos.alabama.gov/government-records/notary-public) before they can be certified with an apostille stamp. If the document requires Certification for presentation in non-apostille country (for example, United Arab Emirates or Qatar), the notarized document will also need certification by an [Alabama probate judge](https://www.sos.alabama.gov/city-county-lookup/probate-judges). The notary will certify the signature of the school official signing the certificate, and you should contact the issuing institution to arrange this. Alternatively, apostilles can be applied to notarized copies made from scans in Washington DC. See: [Isarey Education Apostilles](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/United-States-apostille-academic-documents) university degree certificates, course transcripts and high school diplomas can also be authenticated as notarized copies. A true copy is certified by a notary (this can often be done from a scan without having to submit the original) and then authenticated with an Apostille Stamp from the Washington DC Secretary of State. Authenticated documents can also be attested by the embassies of Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates. For further information, see: [University Degrees and School Records](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/United-States-apostille-academic-documents) ## Notarized documents ### How can I authenticate notarized documents in Alabama for use abroad? Documents certified by an [Alabama Notary Public](https://www.sos.alabama.gov/government-records/notary-public) can be certified by apostille or authentication (depending on whether the country of destination is a signatory to the [Hague Apostille Convention](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostille_Convention)). If the document requires Certification for presentation in non-apostille country, the notarized document needs certification by an [Alabama probate judge](https://www.sos.alabama.gov/city-county-lookup/probate-judges) before submission to the Secretary of State. ### Can Alabama Apostilles be obtained on documents not written in English? Alabama Apostilles can be obtained for documents that are not written in English, but must be accompanied by a notarized English translation.