Apostille

An apostille is a form of authentication issued to documents for use in countries that participate in the Hague Convention of 1961. If a document is to be used internationally, an apostille certifies the authenticity of the signature on the document, the capacity in which the person signing the document acted, and identifies the seal/stamp which the document bears.

Documents that might require an apostille include birth certificates, marriage certificates, educational documents (such as university degrees or high school diplomas), court orders, corporate records, and other official government documents.

1. Verify Requirements: Check if the country where the document will be used requires an apostille.
2. Prepare Your Document: Ensure that your document is properly notarized if necessary before applying for an apostille. This often involves having a notary public authenticate the identity of the person signing.
3. Contact Competent Authority: Each country has its own competent authority responsible for issuing apostilles. In many countries, this authority is usually a government office (such as the Secretary of State in the U.S.).
4. Submit Your Document: You may need to submit your original document along with a request form and a fee. Some authorities allow submissions by mail, while others require in-person submissions.

No, a notary public cannot issue an apostille. They can only notarize documents. The issuance of an apostille is typically handled by a designated governmental authority.

A notary’s role might be required before obtaining an apostille if the document needs to be notarized (e.g., affidavits, power of attorney). The notary will verify the signer’s identity and ensure that signatures are genuine before officially notarizing the document.