Apostille For Notarized Copies

Notarized copies that require a stamp or seal for international use need an apostille to be recognized abroad. An apostille is an internationally accepted certification that authenticates the signature on a document so it can be used in any country that has signed the 1961 Hague Convention.

Apostille for notarized copies can be issued for many public documents, including birth certificates, marriage and death records, power of attorneys, affidavits, consents and other personal legal documents; as well as corporate documents such as Articles of Incorporation, Certificates of Good Standing, bylaws and resolutions. If you are not sure if a document needs an apostille, the best option is to contact a foreign consulate where you will be submitting your documents. They will be able to walk you through the process and let you know what type of authentication your document requires.

Apostille for Notarized Copies: What You Need to Know

In addition to the apostille, some countries require an additional form of authentication called a certificate of authenticity. The certificate of authentication is an official document that confirms the authenticity of a public document or notary certificate. The document must be issued by the government or a notary and bear a facsimile of the seal of the state where the document was issued.

The apostille and the notary are similar but have different purposes. The main difference is that an apostille certifies that a notarized document meets international authentication requirements, while a notary only authenticates the signature of a document. While both can be used for international purposes, an apostille offers more credibility in the international community and is a better choice for most documents intended for use overseas.