| Almost one million apostilles are processed every | | | | you won't have much of a recourse if they are out |
| year in the United States alone. As the world | | | | of the U.S. |
| becomes more and more global, citizens are doing | | | | How long has the apostille service been in business? |
| business, retiring, relocating, and adopting children in | | | | Look at the length of time their website has been |
| foreign countries. And doing so usually requires | | | | up, who it's registered to, and if there are any online |
| getting relevant documents apostilled. | | | | (unbiased) referrals from people who have used |
| Unfortunately, where there is money involved, | | | | them. U.S. expat chat groups are helpful for this since |
| thieves and con-artists will arise to the occasion. And | | | | most of their members have gone through the same |
| this has happened with the numerous apostille | | | | process getting apostilles. |
| services which are mostly advertised online. | | | | Is the site a copy of another legitimate site? Look at |
| Usually, a fake apostille service will con you one of | | | | the spelling of the URL. Is it close in wording of |
| two ways: | | | | another popular site? Sometime thieves will try and |
| | | | look just like a legitimate site but direct payments to |
| 1. They will simply take your money and important | | | | a different address. (If the apostille service is doing |
| documents (which you mail to them) and never | | | | business in the U.S., contact their local Better Business |
| deliver on their promise. | | | | Bureau and see if there are any complaints.) |
| 2. They will return your documents with counterfeit | | | | Lastly, if the apostille service will only take wire |
| apostille seals and you won't be the wiser until you | | | | transfers, that is definitely a strong clue it might be |
| try to pass those documents onto a foreign | | | | fraudulent. |
| government or agency. | | | | Be aware and vigilant and you shouldn't have any |
| The real catch here is that many of the faux | | | | problems choosing a legitimate apostille service. And if |
| operations are located outside of the U.S., sometimes | | | | you want to be 100 percent safe, consider handling |
| in Britain or other parts of Europe. Therefore, the | | | | your documents yourself. That way you're absolutely |
| victim's recourse is very limited. | | | | certain they make it to the correct government |
| Protect yourself by making sure the company is | | | | office and receive legitimate apostilles. |
| operating within the United States. There is no | | | | If you're unsure how to do this, I've written a |
| purpose in sending your important documents | | | | step-by-step guide to obtaining your apostilles |
| (sometimes costly and difficult to obtain themselves) | | | | yourself, fast, securely and for hundreds less than |
| overseas only for that company to turn around send | | | | any legitimate service will offer. You can check it out |
| them to an apostille office back in the U.S. anyway. | | | | here: After all, sometimes doing it yourself is the best |
| Yes, there can be legitimate companies operating | | | | (and safest) way! |
| overseas, but if you happen to choose a fake one, | | | | |