An Apostille is a government-issued certificate that verifies the authenticity of a document signed or issued in a particular country. It serves as an official authentication of a document, and it's necessary when public documents need to be used in another country.
The purpose of an Apostille is to verify the seals and signatures of officials on public documents, including birth certificates, notarial certificates, court orders, and other documents issued by public authorities. With an Apostille, these documents can be recognized by foreign authorities without question.
The Apostille Certificate is a full-page document that is permanently attached to the notarized or certified document. It's essential to note that removing the staple or clasp is legally forbidden.
However, it's worth mentioning that an Apostille only certifies the origin of the underlying public record and doesn't provide any further authentication beyond that.
There are many situations where an Apostille is needed. Some of the most common examples include international marriages, applications for studies, residency or citizenship in a foreign state, international relocation, inter-country adoption procedures, international business transactions, and foreign investment procedures, enforcement of intellectual property rights abroad, foreign legal proceedings, and more.
As a result, several million Apostilles are issued around the world every year.
Step – 1) Verification
Your official document should first be taken to a certified notary public. We begin by verifying that your documents are eligible for Apostille certification. We then ask the country of destination the document is going to, and if the country of destination is a Hague Convention member. We also determine if the document is state or federal created.
Step – 2) Notarization
If required, we provide notarization services to certify the signatures on your documents. Notarization of your document reduces the chance of fraud. It also lets the receiver of your document know that it is valid and can be trusted. In Texas the document should be state or county issued within the last 10 years. Other states vary.
Step – 3) Department of State Apostille and/or State Department & Embassy
After your document is notarized by a notary public, the third step in the process is the issuance of the Apostille or certificate of authentication by the Texas Department of State or the Department of State of the originating state of the document. If the document is a federal document the apostille will be legalized by the Department of State in Washington DC. If the document is a Non-Hague Member it will go through further legalization at the country of destination US Foreign Embassy or Consulate.
Step – 4) Guidance, Support, and Delivery
Our team provides expert guidance throughout the process, answering any questions you might have and ensuring you understand each step. At the end of the completed process, we deliver you legalized and apostilled document to you via hand delivery or by mail to your specified destination. We are committed to providing efficient, reliable, and hassle-free Apostille services. Our expertise in handling these sensitive documents means you can trust us to get the job done right.
Leveled Assist Notary Services
DISCLAIMER: I am not an attorney and therefore by law, I cannot interpret the contents of any document for you, instruct you on how to complete a document, or direct you on the advisability of signing a particular document. By doing so I would be engaging in the unauthorized practice of law, and could face legal penalties that include the possibility of incarceration. Any questions about your documents should be addressed to the lender, title company, or an attorney.
Copyright © 2023 Leveled Assist Notary Services - All Rights Reserved