# FAQs: Attesting Panamanian 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 Pennsylvania documents](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/pennsylvania-apostille-faqs)> **Related:** [Pennsylvania Apostille Service](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/pennsylvania-apostille-authentication) · [Apostille Pennsylvania Vital Records](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/pennsylvania-apostille-vital-records) · [Apostille Pennsylvania University and School Diplomas](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/pennsylvania-apostille-school-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 Pennsylvania? Isarey offers expedited Apostille and Authentication services in Pennsylvania. Apostilles are normally obtained in **1 business day** (PENNSYLVANIA: Pennsylvania apostilles are obtained in one business day. NOTE: All processing times are estimated. Actual processing time is dependant on the authentication authority and is subject to change without prior notice.) ### How can I verify the authenticity of Pennsylvania apostilles? Pennsylvania Apostilles can be verified online: #TLP998# ### What documents can be certified in Pennsylvania with an Apostille Stamp? Pennsylvania Apostille stamps can be obtained for Pennsylvania birth, death divorce and marriage certificates, County documents signed by the clerk in charge of the county office, notarized university and high school diplomas and transcripts, Pennsylvania criminal record checks, vehicle certificates, Company Subsistence Certificates (Certificates of Good Standing) and Certificates of Registration (Certificates of Status). Other documents, such as powers of attorney, can also be certified by apostille in Pennsylvania where they have been notarized by a Pennsylvania notary public.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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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) - [Pennsylvania Apostille and Authentication Services](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/pennsylvania-apostille-authentication) ### Where can I see reviews of Isarey's Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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) - [Pennsylvania Apostille and Authentication Services](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/pennsylvania-apostille-authentication) ### How do I legalize documents issued in Pennsylvania 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. - [Pennsylvania Apostille and Authentication Services](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/pennsylvania-apostille-authentication) ### What does a Pennsylvania Apostille look like? Apostilles follow the standard format laid down in the Apostille Convention. Some examples of documents certified with Apostille stamps: - [Pennsylvania Criminal History Certificate with Apostille](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/dc/Pennsylvania-Criminal-History-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 new certified copy of a Pennsylvania birth, death or marriage certificate suitable for an Apostille? Pennsylvania Death and Birth Certificates can be ordered online or by mail from the Division of Vital Records. - [Pennsylvania - Online Vital Record Ordering](https://mycertificates.health.pa.gov/pastorefront/customer/pa/paHome.xhtml) - [Pennsylvania Department of Health - birth certificates](https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/certificates/Pages/Birth-Certificates.aspx) - [Pennsylvania Birth Certificate FAQS](https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/certificates/Pages/FAQ-Birth.aspx) - [Pennsylvania Department of Health - death certificates](https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/certificates/Pages/Death-Certificates.aspx) - [Pennsylvania Death Certificate FAQs](https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/certificates/Pages/FAQ-Death.aspx) - Pennsylvania marriage certificates are available from the county courthouse where the document was issued. - [Orphans' Court Clerks](https://www.pacourts.Isarey/courts/courts-of-common-pleas/orphans-court-clerks) ### How can I obtain an apostille on a vital record certificate issued in Pennsylvania? Apostille stamps for birth, death and marriage certificates issued in Pennsylvania can be obtained from the Secretary of the Commonwealth in Harrisburg. Birth and death certificates must be issued by the Department of Health with a raised (embossed) seal. Death certificates must be signed by the State Registrar (not by a local registrar). Hospital commemorative birth certificates or birth registration notices issued by the Division of Vital Records are not birth certificates and cannot be authenticated. Marriage certificates must be signed by the register of wills or clerk of the orphans court (and not only the officiant or clergy person). For further information about obtaining apostille stamps on Pennsylvania vital records, see: [Apostille Pennsylvania Vital Records](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/pennsylvania-apostille-vital-records) ## Criminal record certificates ### How can I obtain a State Pennsylvania Background Check? Criminal History Certificates are available from the Pennsylvania State Police. To be valid for an Apostille or authentication from the Pennsylvania Secretary of State, a notarized certificate is required and must be ordered by mail. - [Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History](https://epatch.pa.gov/home) - [FAQs - Pennsylvania Criminal History](https://epatch.pa.gov/faq) ## Academic documents ### How can I authenticate Pennsylvania university degree certificates for use abroad? Original Pennsylvania university and high school diplomas can be authenticated by notarizing the signature of the school or university official in Pennsylvania. The notary's signature can then authenticated with an Apostille from the Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth in Harrisburg. For further information, see: [Apostille STATE University Diplomas](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/pennsylvania-apostille-school-records) 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 ### Can Pennsylvania Apostilles be obtained on documents not written in English? The certificate of notarial act on notarized documents must be worded and completed using the English language. The certificate may be simultaneously worded and completed in another language that is understood by the notary public and must be immediately adjacent to the English-language certificate.