Notarization and apostilles solve different problems, and mixing them up is one of the most common, and costly, mistakes we see. A notarization confirms who signed a document. An apostille confirms that the notary who signed off was actually authorized to do so, and it’s what makes a U.S. document valid in another country.

When you need an apostille

If a document is headed anywhere outside the U.S., such as a power of attorney for property abroad, an adoption record, or a diploma for a foreign employer, there’s a good chance the receiving country will ask for an apostille, not just a notary seal. This applies to any country that’s a member of the 1961 Hague Convention; everywhere else uses a longer authentication process through consulates instead.

The apostille itself is issued by a state’s Secretary of State office, not by us, but we handle the notarization and prep the document so it’s accepted the first time it’s submitted. Turnaround varies by state, from a few days to a few weeks, so it’s worth starting earlier than you think you need to.

If you’re not sure whether your situation calls for an apostille or standard authentication, that’s exactly the kind of thing to ask before your appointment. It’s much easier to get right the first time than to redo after a rejection.