January 17, 2024
What is an Apostille and Why You May Need It?
Notarization and Apostille Services
Every day we receive numerous questions about notarization of a document for international use and our Apostille services. We want to walk you through the entire process of obtaining an Apostille, and explain how to notarize a document for international use and what to expect from our professional Apostille services.
Why You May Need an Apostille?
If you need to present a document notarized in the US abroad, you will hear that it will also require an Apostille.
Apostille is a French word for certification. It is a certificate issued for the document, so it becomes valid abroad. On October 5, 1961, several countries created an easy method to legalize documents for international use. Those countries are referred to as the members of the Hague Apostille Convention. According to the Convention, it is required that any document issued on the territory of one country shall be authenticated to be recognized and accepted in another country member of the Hague Convention. In other words, such a document will require an Apostille.
Let’s take a look at the entire process using a Power of Attorney as an example. If you need another person (the agent) to act on your behalf overseas, you will need to issue a Power of Attorney for that person. The first step is to sign a Power of Attorney before a Notary Public who will notarize the document. Now your document has legal power in the US. However, foreign authorities will not accept such a document because it has no legal power abroad. So, what are the next steps? In New York, the next step will be to certify a Notary’s signature. And only after that, an Apostille can be obtained for your document. Keep in mind that Notaries cannot issue an Apostille themselves. The Department of State issues the Apostille.
It is also important to note that the Apostille can be issued only for the document signed by a Notary Public or by the official of the same state. For example, if the document was signed in New York and thereof it bears a stamp of New York Notary Public, the Apostille for that document cannot be issued in New Jersey.
It is worth mentioning that the Apostille can be issued only for those countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. Non-member countries will receive a certification, and additional authentication may also be required for some countries. You can see a list of the Hague Apostille Convention member countries here. Non-member countries may require a number of validation certificates from the Department of State and the Consul. The requirements vary from country to country.
Why Else You May Need an Apostille Services?
There are several reasons and different documents that will require an Apostille to be recognized abroad. Some of them are:
Certificate on Non-Appeal;
Certificate of Naturalization;
Pretty much any document issued in the US will require an Apostille or Certification to be recognized abroad by foreign authorities.
What Should I Do if I Need Apostille Services?
All you have to do is to notarize the document. We will take care of the rest. However, we encourage you to use our notary public services because we guarantee that our notarization will be flawless, which is very important. Your paperwork can be rejected if the documents were not properly notarized. Any small mistake will cost you time, effort, and money.
Apostille Translation
Please keep in mind that in order for foreign authorities to accept the document with an Apostille, you may also need to translate a notary certification page and the Apostille itself into the official language of the country where the document is intended to be presented.
We are a full-service translation company, and we will gladly assist you with the Apostille translation. We guarantee to satisfy all of your translation needs since we have a huge network of professional linguists. We provide Apostille translation services from/into almost any world-spoken language.
As you see, obtaining an Apostille or Certification can be a very complicated process. Don’t entrust that important task to non-professionals because if something is done wrong, your important paperwork will be rejected. If you find yourself in need of reliable Apostille services, contact our office today, and our knowledgeable staff will take care of everything. The only thing you will need to do is to pick up a perfectly and professionally prepared paperwork with an Apostille ready for international use.
You can also save yourself a trip to our office. We will mail your documents to you upon request. We provide Apostille services since 2014, and we guarantee that you don’t have to worry about anything when working with us. Your documents will be prepared on time and accepted everywhere. Don’t look any further! We provide the most professional, accurate, and fast Apostille services.
If you find yourself in need of reliable and professional Apostille services, please contact us today at (718)-730-4343 or by Email: [email protected] and get your FREE quote for any kind of translation and Apostille services you may need!
A-DOCS, INC. Translation and Apostille Services
414 Brighton Beach Ave, Suite 2, Brooklyn, NY 11235
Our Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 10 AM – 6 PM
