# FAQs: Attesting Israeli 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 Illinois documents](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/illinois-apostille-faqs)> **Related:** [Illinois Apostille Service](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/illinois-apostille-authentication) · [Apostille Illinois Vital Records](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/illinois-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 Illinois? Isarey normally obtain Illinois Apostilles from the Secretary of State in **1 - 2 business days** (ILLINOIS: Apostilles and Authentications are obtained from the Illinois Secretary of State in 1-2 business days. NOTE: All processing times are estimated. Actual processing time is dependant on the authentication authority and is subject to change without prior notice.) ### What documents can be certified in Illinois with an Apostille Stamp? Documents signed by an Illinois government official or notarized by an Illinois Notary Public can be certified by and Apostille from the Illinois Secretary of State, including: - Certified copies of birth, death and marriage certificates issued by the county clerk, local registrar or [Illinois Department of Public Health](https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/birth-death-other-records.html). - Divorce decrees certified by the circuit clerk of the court where the divorce was granted. See [Illinois Court Clerks](https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/courts/circuit-court/circuit-court-clerks/) - University diplomas, transcripts and school records certified by an Illinois notary public. - Notarized criminal record certificates issued by [Illinois State Police](https://isp.illinois.gov/BureauOfIdentification/BackgroundChecks). - Certified copies of business organization documents on file with the Illinois Secretary of State, including certificates of good standing for Illinois corporations of LLCs, articles of incorporation or organization, certificates of existence. - Other documents and true copies certified by an Illinois notary public (requires a statutory notarial certificate). - 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 Illinois 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 Illinois documents? For further information about apostilles and authentications or to obtain a quote for assistance submitting your documents, with free eligibility pre-check, international collection and delivery 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 is an Illinois 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) - [Illinois Apostille and Authentication Services](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/illinois-apostille-authentication) ### Where can I see reviews of Isarey's Illinois 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 Illinois 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) - [Illinois Apostille and Authentication Services](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/illinois-apostille-authentication) ### How do I legalize documents issued in Illinois 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. - [Illinois Apostille and Authentication Services](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/illinois-apostille-authentication) ### What does an Illinois Apostille look like? Apostilles follow the standard format laid down in the Apostille Convention. Some examples of documents certified with Apostille stamps: - [Illinois Birth Certificate with Apostille](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/dc/Illinois-birth-certificate-Apostille) - [Illinois Certificate of Good Standing with Apostille](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/dc/Illinois-Certificate-Good-Standing-Apostille) See [What does an Apostille look like?](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/FAQs-Document-Attestation#faq_236_s) ## Birth, death and marriage certificates ### How can I obtain a new certified copy of an Illinois birth, death or marriage certificate suitable for an Apostille? Illinois Birth and death certificates may be ordered online from VitalChek, by mail from the Illinois Division Of Vital Records (Department of Public Health) or from the County Clerk's Office in the country where the birth or death or took place.Illinois marriage certificates may be ordered online from VitalChek or from the County Clerk's Office in the country where the marriage took place. - [VitalChek (Order Illinois vital records online)](https://www.vitalchek.com/v/vital-records/illinois) - [Cook County Clerk (Chicago)](https://www.cookcountyclerkil.gov/vital-records) - [Illinois County Clerks](https://www.iaccr.net/MemberCountiesMain.html) - [Illinois Department of Public Health](https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/birth-death-other-records.html) - [Apostille Illinois Vital Records](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/illinois-apostille-vital-records) ### How can I obtain an apostille on a vital record certificate issued in Illinois? Illinois Apostilles can be obtained for certified copies of birth, death and marriage certificates obtained from [Illinois Court Clerks](https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/courts/circuit-court/circuit-court-clerks/), local registrar or [Illinois Department of Public Health](https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/birth-death-other-records.html). Certified copies of divorce decrees can be obtained from the circuit clerk of the court. See [Illinois Court Clerks](https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/courts/circuit-court/circuit-court-clerks/) For further information about obtaining apostille stamps on Illinois vital records, see: [Apostille Illinois Vital Records](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/illinois-apostille-vital-records) ## Corporate documents ### How can I get an Apostille on an Illinois Certificate of Good Standing? A Certificate of Good Standing for an Illinois Corporation or LLC is available from the Illinois Secretary of State. See: [Illinois Certificate of Good Standing](https://ilsos.gov/departments/business_services/corp.html) ## Criminal record certificates ### How can I obtain an apostille on a background check from Illinois? Criminal Record Certificates issued by the Illinois State Police, county sheriffs or local police departments must be signed by a police official and notarized. 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 Illinois university degree certificates for use abroad? Illinois university transcripts and diplomas should be certified by the School Registrar or Principal in the presence of the Notary Public who will add a statutory notarial certificate. See [Illinois notarial certification (PDF)](https://ilsos.gov/departments/index/apostillesformexwitness.pdf) 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 obtain an apostille in Illinois for a Power of Attorney or Affidavit? A Power of Attorney can be apostilled when notarized by an Illinois notary public (#TL128). A statutory notarial certificate is required.