Apostille or Authentication of the Federal Document:
Animal/Plant Certifications
Foreign countries require that any document issued by a U.S. Federal Agency must be Authenticated or Apostilled in order to be accepted in a foreign jurisdiction. Included in this requirement are documents signed or notarized overseas by an American Consular Officer or military public notary.
Authenticating a document verifies the document's source so foreign institutions can be assured that documents are genuine.
A Federally issued document must be Authenticated or Apostilled by the US Department of State (USDOS) in Washington, DC. It must be an original document and have the seal and authorized signature of the issuing department.
Animal/Plant Certifications
Several types of animal and plant certifications issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) may require apostille certification for use in other countries.
Common examples include:
USDA Meat, Poultry, and Egg Certification:
This certification verifies that these products are safe, sanitary, and properly labeled and packaged.
USDA Organic Certification:
This certification indicates that products have been grown and manufactured in a sustainable and safe way.
Export Health Certificates:
Issued by APHIS, these certificates ensure that animals and animal products exported from the U.S. meet the importing country's health requirements.
Animal Welfare Certification:
Certifications like the Global Animal Partnership's 5-Step Program assess and verify animal welfare practices on farms, ranches, and slaughter facilities.
Phytosanitary Certificate:
This certificate verifies that plant and plant products are free from pests and diseases of concern and meet the import requirements of the receiving country.
USDA Organic Certification:
This certification applies to both crops and agricultural products, ensuring they meet organic standards.
Export Verification (EV) Program:
This program verifies that products meet specific quality requirements for individual countries and helps facilitate agricultural exports.
How to Obtain an Apostille or Authentication
Have the Right Document:
Make sure you have the original Animal/Plant Certification or a certified copy.
A certified copy must have a certificate stating it's a true copy, along with the issuing agency's seal and authorized signature.
2. Translation (if required):
If the destination country requires a translation, have a professional translator translate the certificate and have the translation notarized. Do not notarize the original document.
Need help? We offer certified document translations through our partner service: Certified Document Translation
3. Apostille or Authentication:
The final step is submitting your document to the U.S. Department of State for apostille or authentication.
Although turnaround times may vary- our agents should be able to assist you with having your Animal/Plant Certification apostilled or authenticated within 9-10 business days.
Important: Each type of federal document may require a different process, especially if it involves sensitive, personal, or agency-restricted records.
To ensure accuracy and avoid rejections, we recommend using one of our Notary Apostille Agents to handle the process for you.
We always try to seek Notary Apostille Agents who have taken extensive training as Notaries and Apostille Facilitators through the following respected training companies. Please always ask any Notary Apostille Facilitator you hire to provide you with their credentials and expertise:
