An Apostille is used when public documents need to be produced abroad. An Apostille certificate is a result of the Hague Apostille Convention of 1961, a treaty among more than 100 countries that allows a document issued in one country to be accepted in another country. While an Apostille does not validate the contents of the document, it does certify the authenticity of the signature or seal of the public official who signed the document; the capacity in which that public official acted and, when appropriate, the identity of the stamp which the document bears, such as a notary public seal. Notarization is always included in the Apostille, as it is a main requirement for obtaining the Apostille. Please reference the article titled “What is a notarized document?” for more information on notarization.
An Apostille may be required in a multitude of cross-border situations, such as international relocations, international marriages, applications for studies, residency or citizenship in a foreign State, inter-country adoption procedures, international business transactions and foreign investment procedures, enforcement of intellectual property rights abroad, and foreign legal proceedings. Requests for an Apostille are generally submitted in writing to your state’s Notary commissioning authority. The commissioning office determines whether the document requires an Apostille or authentication certificate, based on the document’s destination. Your immigration provider or attorney can offer guidance on what is needed for your situation.