A Guide to Notarizing an Apostille
If you need to notarize an apostille, there are a few things you should know. An apostille is a certificate that authenticates the seal and signature of the person who notarized the document. In order for an apostille to be valid, it must be signed by a notary public and sealed with the official stamp of the state in which the notary public is licensed.
Not all states and countries require an apostille for documents to be considered valid, but some do. For example, if you plan to use a U.S. birth certificate in another country, that country may require that the birth certificate be accompanied by an apostille for it to be considered a valid document.
It’s important to note that apostilles can only be issued for documents that have already been notarized. So, if you need to get an apostille for a document, the first step is to ensure that the document has been properly notarized. Once you have done that, you can follow the steps below to get your apostille.
How to Get an Apostille
The process for getting an apostille varies from state to state, but there are some general steps you can follow regardless of where you live:
1) Find out if your state’s Apostille Section is located within the Secretary of State’s office or within another state agency.
2) Contact the appropriate office and find out what type of documentation they require in order for you to obtain an apostille. This may include a completed application, proof of identity, and the applicable fee.
3) Mail or bring your documents to the office along with any required supporting documentation and fees.
4) Once your documents have been processed, they will be mailed back to you with the apostille attached.
5) Once you have received you apostille, you can then submit your documents to the country in which they will be used.
Apostille Services Near Me:
If it sounds like a process, its because it can be. Need assistance getting all your documents in the proper form to be accepted by an agency who provides apostilles? Leave the headache to us! In addition to notarizing your original documents, we can assist with the application, and getting it through all the necessary channels for the documents to be recognized by the destination country of your choosing!
Why Would You Need an Apostille
An apostille can be a valuable asset when trying to use certain types of documents in another country. If you need to get an apostille for a document, make sure to start by ensuring that the document has been properly notarized. Once you have done that, follow the steps outlined above to obtain your apostille from your state’s Secretary of State office (or equivalent). With your newly minted apostille in hand, submitting your documents for use abroad should be a breeze!
*Country of destination is not a part of the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention? Not a problem! With only a few extra steps for verifications, we can also assist with making sure all your documents are properly verified to be recognized by the destination country quickly and affordably.
**Disclaimer: Notary Keeper does not confirm the accuracy of the document(s) being notarized outside of the notarial certificate. We do not legalize documents. Notary Publics cannot provide loan or legal advice, accept fees for legal advice under any circumstances, certify copies of documents recorded in the public records or notarize without an ID unless personally known by the Notary Public.