Submitting originals for apostille is expanding overseas or you’re a citizen preparing for a job abroad, authenticating documents can be a complicated process. It’s important to understand the process for document certification so you can take steps to avoid any delays or errors. In this article we will cover what an apostille is, how it works, and why you might need one.

An Apostille Is a Certificate of Authenticity

In 1961, an international treaty called The Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents (Hague Apostille Convention or the Apostille Treaty) was drafted to simplify the process by which contracting member countries recognize legal documents issued in other member states. The agreement defines the procedures for authenticating the signatures on these documents to make them legally valid in any country that is a party to the treaty.

The apostille is a stamp or seal that authenticates a government official’s signature on the document. The notary’s name and notary commission information must be clearly visible. A photograph of the notary must also be included. Generally, only documents signed by a New York State notary are eligible for an apostille. The notary must sign the document in a capacity as notary public and provide an impression of their notary seal/stamp.

Apostilles are only issued for documents going to countries that are part of the Apostille Convention. If you’re submitting documents for use in a country that isn’t a part of the Apostille Convention, you must submit them to the Corporations Division.