An apostille is a certificate that verifies the authenticity of a document’s origin, such as a signature or a seal for specific use in other countries. A notary public is required for this document. A notary public is a licensed professional like The Fairy Notary who verifies the identity of a document signer and the voluntary nature of their signature.
Apostilles are issued by a government in accordance with the Hague Convention. Depending on the country you will use in the document in determines whether you will need an apostille or an authentication certificate.
Apostille documents may contain the following:
- Vital records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, divorce decrees, and probate wills
- Educational documents: Diplomas, degrees, and school transcripts
- Other Documents: Court orders, contracts, FBI identity history summaries (background checks), INS documents, IRS documents, and certificates of foreign countries
In the Unites States the state Secretary of State’s office is generally the designated authority to issue an apostille or authentication certificate for state or county-issued documents.
Some situations where a birth certificate apostille might be required include:
- Being transferred by an employer to a foreign country
- Adopting a child in a foreign country
- Wanting to marry in a foreign country
If you have an apostille document that needs a notary public, contact us today through the Request a Notary Forum! We will notarize online or remote and personally take your document and deliver it to the Secretary of State’s office so you do not have to!