Get a Notary to handle your apostille.
Apostille
Getting a document authenticated with a State issued Apostille can be a simple process, depending on the state in which you are located. The first step is to contact your Secretary of State's office to obtain the appropriate forms and learn the specific requirements for your state. Some states require you to submit the original document, while others only require a copy. Once the forms and documents are ready, you must submit them and pay the required fees. Once the documents have been processed, you will receive an Apostille, an authentication of the document, usually in the form of a stamp or seal. This process may take several days or weeks, so it is important to plan ahead.
Authenticating Documents For Use In Foreign Nations
Apostilles and Certificates
Apostilles are issued for documents for use in countries that are members of The Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents (1961), more commonly known as the Hague Apostille Convention.
Certificates are similar to the Apostille in that the same information and fee are required when submitting an application for an Apostille. The difference between Certifi cates and an Apostille is that Certificates are applied to documents to be used in countries that are not members of the Hague Apostille Convention.
Since not all countries are members of the Hague Convention, you must list the country where your documents will be used. We will match the country with the appropriate authentication method, according to the latest information from The Hague.
When is an Apostille needed?
When you need to send or authenticate important documents internationally, an
apostille is needed and must be validated, sealed, and signed by a notary public on the correct document(s) so that it can be accepted in a foreign country.
Documents that may require an Apostille
According to the U.S. Department of State, documents that may require authentication for use abroad include, but not limited to:
Affidavits Agreements
Sale of Property
Articles of Incorporation
Company Bylaws
Travel Documents
Power of Attorney
Child Adoptions
Birth Certificates
International Real Estate
