Apostille Services
Paper Chaser LLC - Your Trusted Notary Public
An apostille is a certification used to authenticate the origin of a public document for use in another country. It is issued under the Hague Convention of 1961, which simplifies the process of legalizing documents by eliminating the need for double-certification. Here are some key points about an apostille:
1. **Purpose**: An apostille certifies that a document is a true and accurate copy of the original, and that the signature, seal, or stamp on the document is genuine.
2. **Scope**: It is used for a wide variety of public documents, including birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, court orders, school diplomas, and other official papers.
3. **Issuing Authority**: The apostille is issued by a designated authority in the country where the document originated. In the United States, for example, the Secretary of State's office in each state typically issues apostilles.
4. **Validity**: An apostille is valid in all countries that are signatories to the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents. As of now, more than 110 countries are members of this convention.
5. **Format**: The apostille itself is a standardized form attached to the document. It includes details such as the country of origin, the name of the person signing the document, their capacity, the seal or stamp of the authority, the place and date of issuance, and a unique identification number.
The apostille streamlines international document exchange, ensuring that documents recognized in one member country are readily accepted in another without further verification.