1. Get an official copy of the credentials from the registrar of the university or college. The registrar will execute an affidavit proving the validity of the document before a notary public. 
2. Take the credentials and notarial certificate to the state notary. Scroll down on the webpage to find contact information in your state.
3. If the country you will use the document is in the 1961 Hague Convention, you will get an apostille. 
4. If the country you will use the document is not in the 1961 Hague Convention, you will get a state authentication certificate. Follow the steps to get your document authenticated with us. 
5. Ask the country in which you are traveling if you need to get the U.S. Department of State seal authenticated at the embassy in Washington, D.C.

1. Get a transcript from the school. A school official should then execute an affidavit proving the validity of the document before a notary public.
2. Take the credentials and notarial certificate to the state notary. Scroll down on the webpage to find contact information in your state.
3. If the country you will use the document is in the 1961 Hague Convention, you will get an apostille. 
4. If the country you will use the document is not in the 1961 Hague Convention, you will get a state authentication certificate. Follow the steps to get your document authenticated with us. 
5. Ask the country in which you are traveling if you need to get the U.S. Department of State seal authenticated at the embassy in Washington, D.C.

An authentication certificate does not mean someone completed an academic program. The certificate authenticates the signature and seal of the notary.

Be aware that there are individuals and groups who issue fake academic credentials for a fee. The U.S. Department of Education has a database so you can check U.S. academic credentials.