Apostille

Document requirements for one country aren’t always the same for another. Their validity can be local to a certain region and differ from country to country. Sometimes records can be required or needed in another country but with so many different standards in effect, the need for a unified document was the key. In 1961 The Hague Conference on Private International Law established the Apostille. Apostille is an authentication certification, a stamp. It is designed for use among nations that participate in the Hague Convention. These joint regions are called signatory countries as formed by the Hague Conference on Private International Law.

Apostille only pertains to public documents. Primary examples of public instruments are marriage, birth and death certificates as well as court documents, patents and even diplomas.

Getting documents apostilled can be a complex task especially if it is your first encounter with the entire document authentication subject. Our Apostille specialists will review your documents, advice of any required steps on your part and confirm apostille eligibility within one business day and in most cases even sooner.

We service individual, corporate, legal firms and government organizations.

This is between you and the receiving entity. Some examples of documents submitted for authentications are:

• Adoption paperwork
• Corporate documents – articles, mergers, amendments, powers of attorney, by-laws, etc.
• Powers of Attorney
• School records – diplomas, transcripts, letters relating to degrees, etc.
• Birth Certificates and other Vital Records
• Marriage Licenses
• Deeds of Assignment
• References and Job Certifications
• Trademarks

The process is easy.  First we meet to complete the notarization of your documents.  Please print and complete the Apostille Request form HERE.  Then, once all your documents are ready to be authenticated, I will manage the process.  Your completed paperwork will be sent to you directly from the Secretary of State.

Legalization is the official process of document authentication granted by international governments. Presently, more than 200 countries accept foreign documents certified by apostille. However, there are certain restrictions regarding its acceptance. Some countries still reserve the right to deny the acceptance of apostillized documents, issued by other countries, which are also parties to the Convention. For example, documents apostillized in Albania, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia and the Dominican Republic are not recognized by Germany, Belgium, Greece and Spain, in spite of all these States having signed the international agreement. In cases such as this, and in case the documents are intended to be presented in a country, which is not a party of the Apostille Convention, a chain, multi – step embassy or consular legalization of documents is required to be done by a foreign authorities in order to be recognized.