Do US Territories Require an Apostille for US-Issued Documents?
When preparing documents for official use, most people know that an apostille is required for a U.S. document to be recognized in a foreign country. But what about using a document from the U.S. mainland in a U.S. territory—or using a document from one U.S. territory in another? The answer may surprise you, and the rules can vary significantly from one territory to the next.
As of 2026, the United States has five inhabited territories: Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa. Each territory has a unique relationship with the Hague Apostille Convention, which governs document authentication for international use. The key question is whether a document from the U.S. mainland—or from one territory—requires an apostille to be accepted in another U.S. territory.
Key Rule: An apostille is generally not required for documents exchanged between U.S. states and U.S. territories, or between territories themselves, because they are all part of the same sovereign nation. However, if a document from a U.S. territory is being used in a foreign country (including non-U.S. nations), an apostille is required.
This creates a two-track system. For documents moving within the U.S. family—including states and territories—the apostille is typically not needed. For documents moving out of a U.S. territory to a foreign country, an apostille from that territory's competent authority is required. And for documents moving into a U.S. territory from a foreign country, the apostille from the foreign country is generally accepted.
Which Documents Need Re-Apostilling After a Legal Name Change?
When you legally change your name—whether through marriage, divorce, a court order, or personal choice—your identity shifts. But your existing apostilled documents do not automatically shift with it. A birth certificate, diploma, or professional license that was perfectly valid under your former name becomes a mismatch the moment your legal name changes. Foreign authorities, visa officers, and overseas institutions will not simply accept that the person named on your old documents is now you. They require official, authenticated proof of the link between your former and current name. This is where the question of re-apostilling becomes critical.
An apostille is a certificate that authenticates the origin of a public document for use in another country that is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. It confirms that the signature, seal, or stamp on the document is genuine. However, an apostille does not certify the content of the document—only its origin. If the content of the document (such as the name on it) no longer matches your current legal identity, the apostille becomes functionally useless for proving who you are.
Key Rule: You generally do not need to "re-apostille" an existing document. Instead, you need to obtain a new apostille on an updated or amended version of the document that reflects your new legal name, or you need to apostille the legal document that officially records your name change (such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order).
As of 2026, the Hague Apostille Convention has 129 member states, including the United States, all of Europe, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and China. If both the country that issued your document and the country where you need to use it are members, the apostille is the correct authentication pathway. If the destination country is not a member, you will need to go through the longer "chain legalization" process instead.
Which Documents Need Re-Apostilling After a Name Change?
The short answer is: any document that contains your former name and that you need to use internationally will require either (a) a new apostille on an updated version of that document, or (b) an apostille on the legal document that proves your name change. The table below provides a clear breakdown of the most common scenarios.
| Document Type | Do You Need a New Apostille? | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Birth Certificate | Yes, if it still shows your former name. | Obtain an amended birth certificate (if your state allows amendments) or, more commonly, obtain an apostille on your name change document (marriage certificate, court order, etc.) and submit it alongside your original birth certificate with its existing apostille. |
| Marriage Certificate | Yes, if it still shows your former name. | Obtain a certified copy of the marriage certificate that reflects your new name (if applicable) and have it apostilled. In many cases, the marriage certificate itself serves as the legal proof of the name change and must be apostilled for international use. |
| Divorce Decree | Yes, if it restores a former name. | If your divorce decree includes a clause restoring your maiden or former name, you can use that document as proof of your name change. Obtain a certified copy and have it apostilled. |
| Court-Ordered Name Change | Yes. | Obtain a certified copy of the court order (signed by a judge) and have it apostilled. This is the foundational document for any legal name change and is widely accepted abroad. |
| Passport | No. | Passports are not apostilled. You simply apply for a new passport in your new legal name. A passport is a travel document, not a public record that requires authentication under the Hague Convention. |
| Academic Diplomas and Transcripts | Yes, if they show your former name. | Request a reissued diploma or transcript from your educational institution in your new name. Once you receive the updated document, have it apostilled. If the institution cannot reissue it, you will need to submit the original diploma with its existing apostille along with an apostilled copy of your name change document. |
| Professional Licenses and Certificates | Yes, if they show your former name. | Contact the licensing board to request a reissued license or a verification letter in your new name, then have it apostilled. If a reissue is not possible, submit the original license with its existing apostille alongside an apostilled copy of your name change document. |
| FBI Background Check / Police Clearance | Yes. | These documents are typically valid for a limited time (e.g., 6 months). If you need one after your name change, you will need to obtain a new background check in your new name and have it apostilled. The old one cannot be "re-apostilled." |
US Territories and the Hague Apostille Convention: A Territory-by-Territory Breakdown
Each inhabited U.S. territory has its own status regarding the Hague Apostille Convention. Understanding this status is critical for determining whether an apostille is required and, if so, where to obtain it.
| Territory | Hague Convention Status | Competent Authority | Apostille Required for Documents from U.S. Mainland? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puerto Rico | Member | Puerto Rico Department of State | No |
| Guam | Member | Guam Department of Administration | No |
| Northern Mariana Islands | Member | To be confirmed with local government | No |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | Member | District Court of the U.S. Virgin Islands | Likely no (confirm with local authority) |
| American Samoa | Status to be confirmed | To be confirmed | To be confirmed |
Several territories have made their apostille status clear. Puerto Rico, as a party to the Convention, issues apostilles for documents destined for other member countries. Similarly, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands are also parties to the Convention. For the U.S. Virgin Islands, documents can be legalized with an apostille from the District Court.
However, a crucial point emerges from this research: documents from other parts of the United States do not need an apostille for use in these territories. This is because all U.S. states and territories are part of the same sovereign nation, and the apostille is designed for international—not domestic—document exchange. Therefore, if you are sending a birth certificate from California to Puerto Rico, or a court order from Texas to Guam, you do not need an apostille.
💡 Pro Tip – Know Your Document's Destination
- Domestic use (U.S. state ↔ U.S. territory): Apostille is not required. A certified copy or notarized document is typically sufficient.
- International use (U.S. territory → foreign country): Apostille is required, issued by the territory's competent authority.
- International use (foreign country → U.S. territory): Apostille is required, issued by the foreign country's competent authority.
- Always confirm with the receiving authority—some may have additional or different requirements.
How to Get an Apostille for a U.S. Territory Document Destined for a Foreign Country
If you need to use a document issued by a U.S. territory in a foreign country—for example, a Puerto Rico birth certificate for a visa application in the United Kingdom—you will need to obtain an apostille from the territory's competent authority. The process is similar to obtaining an apostille from a U.S. state, but with some territory-specific nuances.
Below is a step-by-step guide for the three territories with clear apostille processes available as of 2026.
For Puerto Rico-Issued Documents
The Puerto Rico Department of State issues apostilles for documents to be used outside Puerto Rico. The process is as follows:
- Obtain the original document: For birth certificates, the document must be from July 1, 2010, or later (the "blue one"). For other documents, ensure you have the original or a certified copy from the issuing authority.
- Purchase internal revenue stamps: Each document requires a $3.00 internal revenue stamp (Code R5120). These can be purchased through the Colecturía Digital mobile application. Print the stamp and include it with your documents.
- Submit by mail or in person:
- In person: Visit the Certifications and Regulations Division, located on the first floor of the Real Intendency Building in San Juan.
- By mail: Send the original documents, the printed revenue stamps, a letter indicating where the documents will be used, and a pre-addressed envelope to:
Department of State
Oficina de Certificaciones y Reglamentos
Apartado 9023271
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00902
For Guam-Issued Documents
The Guam Department of Administration (DOA) issues apostilles for documents to be used in foreign countries that are members of the 1961 Hague Convention. The process is as follows:
- Notarize each document: Documents must be notarized in front of a notary public before submission. Ensure the notarization is correct—if using a notary commissioned by the county, certify at the clerk of court then the secretary of state; if using a state-commissioned notary, certify at the secretary of state.
- Ensure original seals and signatures: All seals and signatures must be originals. Copies are not accepted unless they are "true certified copies" from a notary public. Birth, marriage, and death certificates, divorce decrees, court documents, and federally-issued documents cannot be certified by a notary as "true copies".
- Translate foreign-language documents: All documents in a foreign language must be translated into English by a certified translator and notarized as a true translation.
- Submit your request: Apostille requests are by appointment only on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Submit your documents to:
Guam Department of Administration
Director's Office
Attn: Apostille Request
P.O. Box 7420
Tamuning, Guam 96931
- Pay the fee: The apostille fee is $50.00 per document, payable by cash, check, or money order payable to "Treasurer of Guam".
- Processing time: Minimum 7-10 days processing in the order the request is received.
- Pick up: You must present a paid receipt at the time of pick up to receive your completed apostille documents.
For U.S. Virgin Islands-Issued Documents
For the U.S. Virgin Islands, apostilles are issued by the District Court. This is a less commonly documented process, and you should contact the District Court directly for specific instructions.
⚠️ Important Warning – Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming an apostille is needed for domestic use: Do not get an apostille for a document being used within the U.S., including U.S. territories. It will not be accepted and you will have wasted time and money.
- Submitting photocopies: Apostille authorities require original documents or certified copies with original signatures and seals.
- Incorrect notarization: Ensure your document is properly notarized before submission. The Guam DOA explicitly states: "If you do not have the correct notarization(s) before you submit your documents, we will not be able to process your request".
- Missing translations: If your document is in a foreign language, you must provide a certified translation.
- Not specifying the destination country: When applying, you must indicate where the document will be used—this is required for the apostille to be issued correctly.
When an Apostille Is Not Required for U.S. Territory Document Use
There are several scenarios where you do not need to obtain an apostille for documents involving U.S. territories. Understanding these exceptions can save you significant time and money.
1. Documents exchanged between U.S. states and U.S. territories: As noted above, the apostille is not required for documents moving within the U.S. family. A certified copy or notarized document is typically sufficient for official purposes within U.S. jurisdiction.
2. Documents exchanged between U.S. territories: Similarly, a document from Puerto Rico being used in Guam does not require an apostille, as both are U.S. territories and part of the same sovereign nation.
3. Documents used for domestic purposes within a territory: If you are using a document within the same territory where it was issued—for example, a Puerto Rico birth certificate for a local driver's license application—you do not need an apostille. A certified copy from the issuing authority is sufficient.
4. Documents from foreign countries used in U.S. territories: If you have a document from a foreign country and need to use it in a U.S. territory, you should obtain an apostille from the competent authority in the foreign country (provided it is a Hague Convention member). The U.S. territory will typically accept that apostille.
5. Documents from U.S. territories used in other U.S. territories: As noted, documents exchanged between U.S. territories generally do not require an apostille. However, you should always confirm with the receiving authority, as some may have specific requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need an apostille for a document from the U.S. mainland to be used in Puerto Rico?
A: No. Documents from other parts of the United States do not need an apostille for use in Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, and the apostille is only required for international document exchange.
Q: Can I get an apostille for a Puerto Rico birth certificate if I am outside Puerto Rico?
A: Yes. The Puerto Rico Department of State accepts apostille requests by mail from individuals outside Puerto Rico. You must send the original documents, purchase the required internal revenue stamps, include a letter indicating where the documents will be used, and provide a pre-addressed envelope.
Q: How long does it take to get an apostille in Guam?
A: The Guam Department of Administration states that apostille processing takes a minimum of 7-10 days, processed in the order the request is received. Apostille requests are by appointment only on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Q: What is the fee for an apostille in Guam?
A: The fee is $50.00 per document, payable by cash, check, or money order made payable to "Treasurer of Guam".
Q: Do I need to translate my document into English before getting an apostille in Guam?
A: Yes. All documents in a foreign language must be translated into English by a certified translator and notarized as a true translation before submission.
Q: Can a U.S. embassy or consulate issue an apostille for a U.S. territory document?
A: No. U.S. embassies and consulates are not authorized to issue apostilles for U.S. documents. The apostille must be obtained from the competent authority in the territory where the document was issued.
Q: Are the Northern Mariana Islands a party to the Hague Apostille Convention?
A: Yes. The Northern Mariana Islands, as an unincorporated and organized territory of the United States, is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention. Documents from other parts of the United States do not need an apostille for use in the Northern Mariana Islands.
Q: What if my document is from a foreign country and needs to be used in a U.S. territory?
A: If the issuing country is a member of the Apostille Convention, you should obtain an apostille from that country's competent authority. This apostille will generally be accepted by authorities in U.S. territories.