Guide
Do Apostilles Expire?
The apostille itself doesn’t expire. The document underneath it is a different story — and that is what gets most applications rejected.
Quick answer
No. The 1961 Hague Apostille Convention sets no expiration date for an apostille, and an apostille stays valid even after the official who signed it leaves office. But the authority receiving your document can require that the underlying document be recent — background checks and civil records are often expected to be issued within the last 3 to 6 months. If your document is too old, you need a new document and a new apostille.
Key takeaways
- The Hague Convention gives apostilles no expiration date.
- The receiving authority decides how recent the underlying document must be.
- FBI background checks are the documents most often rejected as too old.
- A new document needs a new apostille — an apostille can’t be moved to another copy.
- Check the receiving authority’s age rule before you request the document, not after.
On this page
What the Convention says
The Apostille Convention has no provision on how long an apostille remains valid. Once issued, it continues to certify the signature, capacity and seal on that document. It also stays valid if the official who signed the document later leaves the job, because it certifies the signature as of the date it was given.
Why documents still get rejected as “expired”
The receiving authority — a foreign consulate, immigration office, court, bank or employer — can set its own rules on how old the document may be. Common examples:
- Criminal background checks (such as an FBI Identity History Summary) are often required to be issued within the last 3 or 6 months, because they show your record only as of the date they were run.
- Vital and civil records are sometimes expected to be recently issued certified copies.
- Letters and certifications (IRS Form 6166, SSA benefit letters) cover a specific tax year or benefit period and may be refused once that period has passed.
These limits come from the destination, not from the apostille. They vary by country and by the office handling your case, so confirm the rule with that office first.
How to time your apostille
Work backwards from your appointment or filing deadline. Allow time for the document itself, for the apostille (about 10–12 business days through our federal apostille service), and for shipping abroad. For an FBI check, we can run the fingerprints and request the apostille together so the document is as fresh as possible — see the FBI check + apostille bundle.
Can you reuse an apostille?
An apostille is tied to the specific document it is attached to. It can’t be moved to a photocopy or a newer version. If you need the same document for two countries, either get two originals apostilled, or ask whether the second authority will accept a certified copy. If the document is reissued, the new one needs its own apostille.
Get a fresh federal apostille
Federal apostille: $299, about 10–12 business days. FBI background check + apostille: $399. Start an order or see pricing.
Frequently asked questions
Do apostilles expire?
No. The Hague Apostille Convention sets no expiration date for an apostille. However, the authority receiving your document can require the underlying document to have been issued recently.
How long is an apostille valid?
An apostille has no fixed validity period. In practice, how long it is useful depends on the receiving authority’s rules about the age of the document underneath it, which are often 3 to 6 months for background checks.
How long is an apostilled FBI background check valid?
The apostille does not expire, but many countries only accept an FBI Identity History Summary issued within the last 3 or 6 months. Check the rule with the consulate or office handling your application.
Is an apostille still valid if the official who signed it has left office?
Yes. An apostille certifies the signature and capacity of the official at the time it was issued, so it remains valid after that person leaves the job.
Can I use the same apostille for two countries?
An apostille is attached to one specific document and cannot be transferred. If you need the document in two countries, you usually need two originals, each with its own apostille.
Official sources: HCCH — Apostille Convention, full text · HCCH — Apostille Section · HCCH — Apostille Convention status table. Federal Apostille USA is a private service, not a government agency.
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