What is an Apostille and when do I need one?

If you have documents going abroad, they may require an Apostille service. An apostille is a document issued by a government authority that certifies the authenticity of a public document. It is used when the document is to be used in a country that is part of the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention. The apostille will include information such as where and when the document was issued, and who issued it.

Apostilles and Certifications of Documents

In order for a document to be valid in another country, it must first be authenticated. This authentication can take place with an apostille. An apostille may be obtained from the secretary of state or other official authorized by the state government where the document was issued. An alternative form of authentication is certification through an embassy or consulate of the foreign country where the document will be used. In some cases, documents may need both an apostille and certification from the US Department of State.

Who issues Apostilles?

Apostilles are documents issued by a notary public that certify the authenticity of a document. These documents are then recognized and accepted in foreign countries as valid. The secretary of state is the one who issues apostilles, which are formal documents that verify the authenticity of a certificate or other document. An apostille is essentially a stamp that is placed on an original document to validate its origin and can be used in many different countries around the world. To issue an apostille, the secretary of state must first determine whether or not the document meets all necessary requirements set forth by international law. Once these requirements have been met, they will then issue an Apostille which will certify the validity of the document issued in accordance with the 1961 Hague Convention.

Are apostille and authentication interchangeable?

Apostille and authentication are not interchangeable. An apostille is a certificate issued by an authority designated by The Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents, commonly known as the apostille convention. It's used to recognize documents from one country to another with minimal bureaucracy. Authentication, on the other hand, involves verifying the authenticity of a document through an embassy or consulate. Depending on the country of origin and destination, either an apostille or authentication may be required; however, both can be requested in some cases. Apostille and authentication procedures provide assurance that documents issued abroad will be accepted as valid in their destination countries. In conclusion, apostille and authentication are two distinct processes that cannot substitute for each other and must be requested separately when needed.

Is an apostille same as notary?

An apostille and a notary are two completely different things. An apostille is an authentication of a document in accordance with the Hague Convention of 1961. It is used to prove the authenticity of documents issued in one country to be used in another country that is a member of the Convention. On the other hand, notarizing documents means that a notary public must witness the signing of documents and certify them as true copies like a Passport. This is done by verifying the identity of all parties involved, as well as their signatures on the document. Notarized documents are generally accepted within countries, but may not be valid or recognized outside the country unless it has been authenticated with an apostille from The Hague.

What documents can be Apostilled in the US?

In the United States, documents such as birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates, adoption certificates, and power of attorney documents can be Apostilled. Educational credentials such as diplomas, transcripts, and certifications can also be Apostilled. Companies may require that certain corporate documents such as Articles of Incorporation or Merger Agreements be Apostilled in order to certify their authenticity for use in international business transactions. In addition to these more common types of documents, some states may offer Apostille services for other unique forms of documentation. Depending on the state and specific document type, additional fees may apply for Apostille services. It is important to ensure all necessary paperwork is included when submitting a document for an Apostille in order to avoid delays or extra costs.

How to get something notarized?

As you see Apostille and authentication differ. In addition getting something notarized is also a different service. If you need to get something notarized, the first step is to find a notary public. A notary public is an official who can witness and certify documents, meaning they can sign off on something as being legitimate. Look for a notary public in your local area or try searching online for a mobile notary service.   Once you have found a suitable service, make sure you bring along all relevant documents and any other items that need to be notarized. Depending on the document and state regulations, you may also need to provide identification such as a driver’s license or passport. When you are ready to get your documents notarized by a notary, the notary will ask you to sign them in front of them and then will add their own signature and stamp. Once this process is complete, your documents are then considered legally binding and officially notarized. 

How to get an Apostille by a Notary Public in Boston Massachusetts? 

If you are in need an apostille seal massachusetts for a Massachusetts Birth Certificate, Massachusetts Death Certificate, Massachusetts Death Certificate, CORI Form, School Transcripts, Diploma or any document going abroad - international, look no further. Boston Notary Service is a frequently used company in Boston, Massachusetts that provides mobile notary and secretary of the commonwealth of massachusetts apostille.

Boston Massachusetts Apostille and Certification Service. Rush next-business-day service available By Boston Notary Service

If you need an Apostille or Certification of Appointment by Secretary of State, let Boston Notary Service help you get it done fast. If you are in the Boston or New Hampshire area we even offer pick-up and delivery of your document(s). We provide fast and reliable apostille service. Whether you need an apostille stamp for a business, or personal document we are here to help you get it done fast. If you know the document requirements and you are ready to submit your documents email [email protected] 

Us Authentication services order form help by Boston Notary Service in conjunction with the us authentication office in washington dc.

As of 2024, the following countries are signatories to the Hague Convention of 1961 (Apostille Convention), which simplifies the legalization of documents for use in member countries:

- Albania
- Andorra
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Australia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Bahamas
- Bahrain
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Belize
- Bolivia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Brunei Darussalam
- Bulgaria
- Burundi
- Cabo Verde
- Canada (from January 11, 2024)
- Chile
- China
- Colombia
- Cook Islands
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Estonia
- Eswatini
- Fiji
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- Honduras
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India
- Indonesia
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- Kosovo
- Kyrgyzstan
- Latvia
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macau
- Malawi
- Malta
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Namibia
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- Niue
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Oman
- Palau
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Rwanda (from June 5, 2024)
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Samoa
- San Marino
- São Tomé and Príncipe
- Saudi Arabia
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Spain
- Suriname
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Tajikistan
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- Vanuatu
- Venezuela

For the most up-to-date and detailed information, you can refer to the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) website and related legal resources.