Apostille For Legal And Official Documents

Apostille For Legal And Official Documents

Apostilles and authentication certificates certify signatures, stamps, or seals on documents so that they can be used in another country. Both types of authentications verify that a document has been formally signed by its creator and is genuine, thus simplifying the legalization process required to make it valid in foreign countries. Go here https://apostille-usa.com/virginia/

The process for authenticating a document is governed by a treaty called the Apostille Convention of 1961. The treaty eliminates the need for a long chain of official authentications by replacing it with a simplified certificate that confirms a document’s authenticity. The apostille certificate must be attached to the original document or to a notarized copy of the document.

Apostille for Legal and Official Documents

To determine what type of document requires an apostille, first look at the country where it will be presented to see if it is one of the countries that accepts the treaty. Then check with the department or agency that issued the document to see if it needs an apostille. If the document is federally-issued, it should be authenticated by the U.S. Department of State Authentication Office, which can be contacted for requirements and costs at the link below.

Private or state/county-issued documents may be authenticated by a designated authority, usually the county clerk or secretary of state’s office. For more information on these requirements, see the People’s Law Library article on Maryland-issued documents, or visit the State Authentication Website. The Authentication Office can be contacted for more information via email, or by mail or in person at the Walk-In Counter. Credit cards are accepted for payment.