what is an apostille certificate free lawyer .com

An apostille is an official government certificate to confirm the authenticity of a document presented with it. This process is known as legalisation of a document and used to be known as ‘consularisation’.

Full Answer

What is an apostille and when is it needed?

Apostilles authenticate the seals and signatures of officials on public documents such as birth certificates, court orders, or any other document issued by a federal agency or certified by an American or foreign consul. An apostille certifies the document (s), so the document can be recognized in foreign countries that are members of the 1961 Hague Convention Treaty.

How to obtain an apostille or certificate of authentication?

• The name of the country requesting documents. (Countries require different certifications and the document cannot be authenticated without this information)
• A daytime phone number for questions
• Information on where the documents should be mailed after processing
• If documents are for a minor, please use the name of the person making the request

Is an apostille the same as a notary?

You wonder to yourself if if an Apostille is the same as a notary stamp. No, it is not the same. Some people function as an “Apostille Notary” which is essentially a notary who will handle the Apostille service for you. What is an Apostille anyway?

How to apostille a document in the US?

the document will be used. Place your documents, payment, and cover sheet in one of the envelopes provided and then place the envelope in the drop box. Once your apostille request is completed your documents will be mailed back via USPS to the address provided on the cover sheet unless a self-addressed stamped envelope is provided.

How do I get a document apostille in the US?

To obtain an apostille you must send the following information: Original notarized document to be authenticated or a certified copy to be authenticated that includes the original certification. Fee is $15.00 per document (a document can be more than one page).

What Apostille means?

Apostilles authenticate the seals and signatures of officials on public documents such as birth certificates, court orders, or any other document issued by a federal agency or certified by an American or foreign consul.

Who can issue an apostille?

Who can issue an apostille in the UK? An apostille can only be issued by a competent authority. A competent authority is designated by the UK government. In the UK, the only competent authority is the Legalisation Office of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (known as the FCDO for short).

Is apostille the same as notary?

A notary is the process of verifying and witnessing a document being signed. The notarized document will usually be used in the US. The apostille is a certificate issued by a Secretary of State that authenticates the document for use outside the US.

Apostille Or Authentication Certificates?

Apostilles and authentication certificates validate the seal and signature of a Notary on a document so that it can be accepted in a foreign countr...

Getting A Notarization Authenticated

According to the U.S. Department of State, documents that may require authentication for use abroad include: affidavits, agreements, articles of in...

What’S The Notary’S Role?

Your only responsibility is to notarize the document itself. Because the document is destined for another country, the notarization must be perform...

Can Notaries Provide Apostille Services?

Some enterprising Notaries who live near their Secretary of State’s office offer "apostille services" as a way to generate additional income. They...

What is an apostille certificate?

The Convention reduces all of the formalities of legalisation to the simple delivery of a certificate in a prescribed form, entitled “Apostille”, by the authorities of the State where the document originates. This certificate, placed on the document, is dated, numbered and registered.

What does "apostille" mean?

An Apostille (pronounced “ah-po-steel”) is a French word meaning certification. An Apostille is simply the name for a specialized certificate, issued by the Secretary of State.

What is the Apostille Convention?

The Apostille Convention requires that all Apostille’s be numbered consecutively, with individual numbers applied to each Apostille issued.

How many states can issue an apostille?

In the United States, all 50 states and the Federal Government (US Department of State – Office of Authentication) can issue an Apostille. In 1961, many countries joined together to create a simplified method of “legalizing” documents for universal recognition.

When did the Hague Convention abolish the requirement of legalisation for foreign public documents?

On the October 5, 1961 the Hague Convention abolished the requirement of legalisation for foreign public documents.

What is an apostille?

An apostille is simply an official authentication that the Notary's commission is current. If a signer needs an apostille, the signer must submit the notarized document to request the authentication from the appropriate government agency. You are not required to provide any additional services or documents to the signer.

What is an apostille for notarizing?

Notarizing documents that will be sent to other countries requires an apostille or authentication; but it's up to your signer to request one, not you. An apostille is a certificate — often attached to the document by an appropriate government official after it is notarized.

What is a notary return envelope?

The original document, including the Notary’s completed notarial certificate. The final destination of the document. A postage-paid return envelope addressed to either the document custodian or the document’s final destination. The required fee (varies by state).

When are apostilles used?

Apostilles are used when public documents are being transferred between countries that are a party to the Hague Apostille Convention of 1961.

What does a notary public witness?

Notary publics witness the signing of important documents and verify the identity of the signer (s), their willingness to sign the documents, and their awareness of the contents of the document or transaction. Excellent wrap-up!

Where to get an apostille in California?

Hi Jennifer. If you're in California, an apostille would have to be obtained from the CA Secretary of State's office. However, the signer may also be able to obtain authentication from the regional SOS office in Los Angeles if that is closer. More information is available here: http://www.sos.ca.gov/business-programs/regional-office/

Is an apostille a notary act?

Hello. An apostille is not a notarial act. An apostille is a form attached to a notarized document by a government agency that validates the seal and signature of the Notary who performed the notarization.

What is an apostille certificate?

The Apostille is an official government issued certificate added to documents so they will be recognised in when presented in another country. Typically the Apostille Certificate is issued by the state from which the document originates although in some cases another state can issue the Apostille. Once a document has had an Apostille Certificate ...

What information is required for an apostille certificate?

The Apostille Certificate follows a prescribed format and must include the following information –. 1. Country of issue. 2. Who has signed the document. 3. The capacity in which the person signed the document. 4. Details of any seal on the document.

Can an apostille certificate be accepted in the UK?

The authority receiving the document should then accept the seals or signatures as true and valid without requesting further evidence or proof. Apostille Certificates issued in the UK will be accepted in the following countries without further legalisation – Apostille Countries.

What is an apostille?

An apostille is an official government certificate to confirm the authenticity of a document presented with it. This process is known as legalisation of a document and used to be known as ‘consularisation’.

What is the phone number for Apostille?

Alternatively, please call our apostille lawyers on 0330 127 8888 for a free and confidential no obligation discussion. We have specialist apostille advisors based at our Manchester and London offices offering a personal service, nationally and internationally.

What are some examples of legal documents?

Examples of types of documents we can legalise for international use: Academic certificates and qualifications (original or copies may be certified) Company documents (original or copies may be certified) Passports and driving licence (copies are always signed)

Why do notaries have to follow the correct notarial guidelines?

The notary must follow the correct notarial guidelines in their State because the documents will be authenticated by the Secretary of State. The correct notarial wording must be either printed on the document or attached to the signed page in English.

Can a secretary of state accept a foreign language document?

Most Secretary of State offices will accept documents in a foreign language as long as the document have been notarized properly. Once the documents has been drafted, the next step is to meet with a local notary.

What is the importance of certification on documents?

It is important that documents contain the correct statement, are signed in a solicitor’s name and not the firm’s and that it is clear what date the document was signed.

What does a solicitor do when certifying a document?

In simple terms a solicitor will check a document and then add a statement why they are certifying the document and then add their signature. The type of certification added to a document will depend on what the document is and why it is being certified.

What documents do you need to check and certify?

Other documents do need checking and certifying by a solicitor. Common examples are company documents, personal papers and academic or qualification certificates. These are not typically signed by a recognised public official.

Can a document be legalized without a stamp?

Without the correct certification a document cannot be legalised. Many documents have the required signature or stamp and do not need further certification. For example birth certificates, marriage certificates, court documents and HMRC letters normally do not need to be signed by a solicitor.