Getting an important document across the international border isn’t a matter of just mailing it out. Your foreign counterparts will never accept your American documents unless they’ve been officially notarized beforehand, and that’s exactly what the services provided by an apostille notary services entail. An apostille is an official stamp attesting the authenticity of a document and its signature/seal. Any country participating in the Hague Convention is obliged to recognize the apostille. If your marriage license/diploma/power of attorney hasn’t got an apostille, it can be rejected on arrival in any foreign country. Below you’ll find all necessary information about apostilles: what they are and how to get one.
What Does an Apostille Actually Do?
An apostille doesn’t perform translation or interpretation of your document. All it does is certify that the person who signed it was legally qualified to do so. Indeed, a notarized document from California doesn’t have any legal effect in Germany or Japan. That’s where an apostille comes to help: it’s issued by the Secretary of State’s office of the state your document originates from. But it all usually starts with notarization.
When Will You Really Need It
Apostille requirements crop up more often than one thinks. These include:
- Getting married in another country and needing a birth certificate or single status certificate.
- Teaching in another country and sending over your diplomas and transcripts.
- International adoption.
- Working with a foreign company requiring certification of their corporate documents.
- Sending over an FBI background check for visa or work permits.
The common thing that throws people off all the time is the fact that you can only get apostilles on documents meant for a different Hague Convention state. If your document doesn’t leave the country, then you do not need an apostille, but a normal notary instead.
Why the Process Is Not as Quick as Advertised
There will be advertisements for same-day apostille notary services, and in most cases, it is not possible. The time it takes after your document has been delivered at the Secretary of State’s office is always around two to three working days without exception. Federal documents such as FBI background checks go through the process at the U.S.
Doing Things the Right Way from The Start
There are a few very important things to know about the process: the cover page cannot be removed from the original document, notarization needs to be performed by a notary from the state of issuance of the apostille, and documents in a foreign language must be translated to English. Any of these mistakes will cause everything to be done again, which takes precious time, especially if there are deadlines for a wedding ceremony or visa application.
Using Professional Services That Do This Every Day
It is always useful to work with professionals who know the whole process inside out. Placer County Notary Services delivers the documents to the office of the Secretary of State of California personally, performs federal authentication procedures if necessary, and works with foreign consulates for the countries where there is a requirement for legalization. If you plan a destination wedding, international adoption, or working abroad, having professionals handle all the document authentication processes will help keep your documents from being rejected abroad.