# FAQs: Attesting Lao 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 Louisiana documents](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/louisiana-apostille-faqs)> **Related:** [Louisiana Apostille Service](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/louisiana-apostille-authentication) · [Apostille Louisiana Vital Records](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/louisiana-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 Louisiana? Louisiana Apostille Stamps can normally be obtained in **3-4 business days** (Louisiana: Louisiana Apostilles are normally issued in 3-4 business days. A one-day rush service is available for urgent requests. NOTE: All processing times are estimated. Actual processing time is dependant on the authentication authority and is subject to change without prior notice.) A one-day service is also available for urgent requests. ### What documents can be certified in Louisiana with an Apostille Stamp? The Louisiana Secretary of State issues Apostille Stamps to authenticate State of Louisiana documents that have been signed by Louisiana State officials such as clerks of court, sheriffs, judges, justices of the peace and the registrar of vital records, including: - Transcripts and diplomas signed by Louisiana state accredited university registrars, presidents, deans, etc. - Birth and death certificates issued by the Louisiana Department of Vital Records; - Marriage certificates, licences and divorce certificates certified by the clerk of the court in the parish where the marriage or divorce was filed.#Certificates of Good Standing and Certificates of Existence issued by the Secretary of State - Certified copies of Louisiana State Criminal History Reports issued by the Louisiana State Police; - Other documents, such as affidavits and powers of attorney, can be authenticated when duly certified by a [Louisiana notary public](https://www.sos.la.gov/NotaryAndCertifications/SearchForLouisianaNotaries/Pages/default.aspx)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 Louisiana 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 Louisiana 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 a Louisiana 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) - [Louisiana Apostille and Authentication Services](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/louisiana-apostille-authentication) ### Where can I see reviews of Isarey's Louisiana 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 Louisiana for use abroad? Apostille Stamps to authenticate Louisiana documents can be obtained from the [Louisiana Secretary of State](https://www.sos.la.gov/notaryandcertifications/certifications/authenticatesignaturesoflouisianaofficials/Pages/default.aspx) 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) - [Louisiana Apostille and Authentication Services](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/louisiana-apostille-authentication) ### How do I legalize documents issued in Louisiana for submission to countries that are not members of the Apostille Convention? Louisiana documents that need to be authenticated for non-apostille countries (e.g. United Arab Emirates, Qatar) must be authenticated by the [Louisiana Secretary of State](https://www.sos.la.gov/notaryandcertifications/certifications/authenticatesignaturesoflouisianaofficials/Pages/default.aspx) 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. - [Louisiana Apostille and Authentication Services](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/louisiana-apostille-authentication) ### What does a Louisiana Apostille look like? Apostilles follow the standard format laid down in the Apostille Convention. Some examples of documents certified with Apostille stamps: - [Louisiana Birth Certificate with Apostille](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/dc/Louisiana-birth-certificate-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 certified divorce decree or certificate in Louisiana Certified copies of Louisiana divorce decrees (suitable for an Apostille Stamp of Authentication from the Secretary of State) can be obtained from the Clerk of Court in the parish where the divorce was filed. [Clerks of Court - Louisiana parishes](https://www.laclerksofcourt.org/clerks-of-court) ### How can I obtain a new certified copy of a Louisiana birth, death or marriage certificate suitable for an Apostille? Louisiana birth and death certificates can be obtained from the Louisiana Department of Vital Records. Certificates can be ordered online through VitalChek or by mail. A walk-in service is also available in New Orleans. - [How to order a Louisiana Birth Certificate](https://ldh.la.gov/page/635) - [How to order a Louisiana Death Certificate](https://ldh.la.gov/page/640) - Louisiana birth and death certificates are restricted records. Only the person named on the certificate (birth certificates) or immediate family (birth and death certificates) can obtain certificates. Louisiana Vital Records will only ship copies of Louisiana birth and death certificates to the entitled applicant's verified home address.Louisiana marriage certificates can be obtained from the Clerk of the Court of the parish where the marriage was registered. Certificates from Orleans Parish are available from the Louisiana Department of Vital Records and can also be ordered online through VitalChek. - [Clerks of Court - Louisiana parishes](https://www.laclerksofcourt.org/clerks-of-court) - [Order an Orleans Parish Marriage Certificate](https://ldh.la.gov/page/643) ### How can I obtain an apostille on a vital record certificate issued in Louisiana? Apostilles to authenticate Louisiana vital records can be obtained from the Louisiana Secretary of State. Birth and death certificates must be issued by the Louisiana Department of Vital Records. Copies are not accepted. Marriage certificates, marriage licences and divorce decrees must be certified by the Clerk of the Court in the Parish where the marriage or divorce was registered. Marriage certificates from Orleans Parish may also be issued by the Louisiana Department of Vital Records.For further information on obtaining Apostille Stamps and Authentication Certificates, please see: [Apostille Louisiana Vital Records](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/louisiana-apostille-vital-records) ## Corporate documents ### How can I get an Apostille on a Louisiana Certificate of Good Standing? An Apostille Stamp to authenticate a Louisiana Certificate of Good Standing can be obtained from the [Louisiana Secretary of State](https://www.sos.la.gov/notaryandcertifications/certifications/authenticatesignaturesoflouisianaofficials/Pages/default.aspx) ### How can I obtain a Louisiana Certificate of Good Standing? Certificates of Good Standing for Louisiana corporations and limited liability companies can be ordered online from the Secretary of State. [Apply for Louisiana Certificate of Good Standing](https://www.sos.la.gov/BusinessServices/SearchForLouisianaBusinessFilings/OrderDocumentsAndCertificates/Pages/default.aspx) ## Criminal record certificates ### How can I obtain an apostille on a background check from Louisiana? Louisiana Criminal History Reports issued by the [Louisiana State Police](https://lsp.org/about/leadershipsections/support/bcii/fingerprints-and-background-checks/) can be authenticated with an Apostille from the Louisiana Secretary of State. A certified "true copy" is required, embossed with the raised State Seal. ### How can I obtain a State Louisiana Background Check? Certified copies of Louisiana State Criminal History Reports (embossed with raised State Seal) are available from the [Louisiana State Police](https://lsp.org/about/leadershipsections/support/bcii/fingerprints-and-background-checks/) ## Academic documents ### How can I authenticate Louisiana university degree certificates for use abroad? Diplomas and transcripts signed by Louisiana state accredited university registrars, presidents, deans, etc. can be submitted directly to the Louisiana Secretary of state for authentication. Certificates from other Louisiana institutions will need prior certification by a [Louisiana notary public](https://www.sos.la.gov/NotaryAndCertifications/SearchForLouisianaNotaries/Pages/default.aspx) Louisiana degrees required for submission to countries that are members of the Apostille Convention can be certified with an Apostille Stamp from the Secretary of State - this will be accepted directly by authorities of the recipient country. Degrees required for non-Apostille countries (e.g. United Arab Emirates, Qatar) need an Authentication Certificate from the Secretary of State, and must then be attested by the embassy of the recipient country (legalization by the U.S. State Department in Washington DC may also be required). 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 Louisiana for use abroad? Documents, such as affidavits and powers of attorney, certified by an [Louisiana notary public](https://www.sos.la.gov/NotaryAndCertifications/SearchForLouisianaNotaries/Pages/default.aspx) can be authenticated by the Louisiana Secretary of State with an Apostille or authentication certificate (depending on whether the country of destination is a signatoryto the Apostille Convention). Documents must be notarized in compliance with Louisiana Notary Law with a complete jurat or acknowledgement. ## Other documents ### How can I obtain a Louisiana Driving History? Louisiana Driving History Certificates can be obtained online from the Office of Motor Vehicles. [Apply for Louisiana Driving Record](https://dps.expresslane.org/officialdrivingrecord)