What is an apostille and why would I need one in Indiana?

An apostille is a certificate from the Indiana Secretary of State that makes your documents valid for international use, often required for birth certificates, marriage records, or powers of attorney.

Can I get an Indiana apostille the same day?

Yes — I hand-deliver documents in Indianapolis and provide same-day apostille service, saving you weeks of waiting by mail.

Which documents can be apostilled in Indiana?

Birth, marriage, and death certificates, divorce decrees, powers of attorney, school records, adoption papers, and business documents can all be apostilled.

Can my document be in Spanish or another language?

Yes, the document can be in any language, but the notarial certificate must be in English under Indiana law.

Do I need to notarize my document before getting an apostille?

Some official records don’t need notarization, but others like a power of attorney or diploma must be notarized first by an Indiana notary.

How much does it cost to get an apostille in Indiana?

The Indiana Secretary of State charges $2 per apostille, plus my service fee for notarization (if needed), same-day delivery, and return.

How long does it take to get an apostille in Indiana?

By mail it can take 2–3 weeks, but with my service, you can have your apostille completed the same day.

Can you help if I live outside Indiana but need an Indiana apostille?

Yes — you can ship documents to me, and I’ll hand-deliver them for apostille and return them securely with priority shipping.

What’s the difference between an Indiana apostille and a federal apostille?

Indiana apostilles are for state-issued or Indiana-notarized documents, while federal apostilles come from the U.S. Department of State for federal documents like FBI background checks.

Can I apostille a copy of my document, or does it have to be the original?

Vital records and court documents must be certified originals, but some other documents may use a notarized copy certification.

Do I need a translation for my apostilled document?

The Indiana Secretary of State will apostille the document as-is, but some countries may also require a certified translation.

How do I get an Indiana birth certificate apostilled?

Request a certified copy from the Indiana Department of Health or your county health department, then I can take it for same-day apostille.

Can a Power of Attorney (POA) be apostilled in Indiana?

Yes — as long as it’s notarized correctly by an Indiana notary with an English notarial certificate, it can be apostilled the same day.

Do You Need Remote Online Notarization or an Apostille? Here’s How to Tell

Aug 29

Written By Kerrie Smith

If you’ve ever Googled “Do I need a notarization or an apostille?”, you’re not alone. Most people only deal with these terms when life throws them a curveball — a job overseas, an adoption, an immigration process, or a family matter abroad.

Both Remote Online Notarization (RON) and apostilles are powerful tools for proving your documents are legitimate. But they serve different purposes — and sometimes you need both. Let’s clear up the confusion.

What Remote Online Notarization (RON) Does

RON allows you to notarize a document online through secure video. You meet with me (a commissioned Indiana notary), show ID, sign, and I apply my digital seal.

Great for: Powers of attorney, affidavits, estate planning, loan docs, and documents that need to be notarized quickly.
Best feature: You can be anywhere in the world as long as you have internet and ID.

What an Apostille Does

An apostille is an international certification from the Secretary of State that says: “Yes, this notarization is real, and it’s valid outside the U.S.”

Great for: Birth, marriage, or death certificates, academic records, adoption paperwork, and notarized contracts for use overseas.
Best feature: It makes your U.S. document legally recognized in another country that’s part of the Hague Apostille Convention.

When You Need Both RON + Apostille

Here’s where people often get tripped up:

You notarize your document first (RON works perfectly for this).
Then you submit it for an apostille so it can be accepted internationally.

👉 Example: A client in Mexico needed a power of attorney. We completed it via RON. Then I submitted it for an Indiana apostille and couriered it overseas. One smooth process, done in days — not months.

How to Know What You Need

Ask yourself:

Is my document staying in the U.S.? → Likely just notarization (RON works).
Is my document going abroad? → You may need both notarization + apostille.
Not sure? → That’s what I’m here for. I’ll review your document and guide you step by step.

The Signature Move Advantage

At Signature Move Notary Services, I handle both sides of the puzzle:

Remote Online Notarization (via BlueNotary)
Indiana & Federal Apostille processing (same-day options available)
Clear, flat-rate pricing
White-glove updates until your document is back in your hands

Call to Action

Confused about what you need? Don’t stress. That’s my job.

👉 Book a Remote Online Notary Session if you need notarization fast.
👉 Request Apostille Service if your documents are headed overseas.

Either way, we’ll get it done — the right way, the first time.

#remoteonlinenotarization#onlinenotary#internationalnotary#apostillenotary

Kerrie Smith