New York Mobile Notary offers an end-to-end Apostille & Legalization Service for both Individual and Business clients. Globalization and the explosive growth of international business has allowed most businesses to have worldwide reach, requiring documents be properly certified for international use.

Knowing that obtaining Apostilles and Legalizations can often be a confusing, time consuming, and complex process, we happily offer our clients consultation and individualized guidance throughout the entire process. Over the years we’ve complied a detailed reference manual that catalogues the Embassy and Consular requirements for every country.

Our wide network of partners includes Certified Translators, Foreign Attorneys, and various Governmental contacts both domestic and international. With our decades of experience, carefully-cultivated relationships with County Clerks, Departments of State, Consulates, and Embassies, our clients enjoy a thorough, detailed, and worry-free experience.

For inquiries about our Apostille & Legalization services, rates, and further information about the process, send us an email at: [email protected]

FAQs

What is an Apostille?

An Apostille (pronounced App-oh-steel) is a French word meaning certification. It is a standard certification that many governments, both foreign and domestic, use to certify that a document is genuine and can be officially recognized.

If a document is going to be used overseas a simple notarization may not be enough, you might be asked to have your documents apostilled. Once apostilled, your document is recognized worldwide. However, not all countries can issue an apostille: only signatories to The Hague Convention can issue an apostille.

If the country where the document will be used is not a party to The Hague Convention, you will have to go through the process of obtaining a series of certifications known as Legalization.

What is Legalization?

Countries that are not signatories to the Hague Convention require Embassy or Consular Legalization of documents. The purpose of the Legalization mirrors the purpose of the Apostille, but requires one additional step.

For these documents, the U.S. Department of State Authentications Office in Washington, D.C. is responsible for signing & issuing certificates under the Seal of the U.S. Department of State.

Once processed by the U.S. Department of State, the document goes to the appropriate Embassy or Consulate where officials will make sure the document meets the requirements of all laws in the respective country. This process can include confirmation of the validity of the original official documents, certifying the authenticity of the signatures of any and all officials on the documents, and the validation of official stamps, seals, and binding by which the document is fastened.

When the Legalization process is finished, the document is ready to be used internationally.

What is a Certification or Authentication of Notarized Documents?

There are certain documents, which after being notarized, need to be certified or authenticated. This is performed by the county clerk where the notary is commissioned or has a good character card on file.

The certification or authentication of a document is extremely important because it allows for a notarized document to be recorded. The recordation of a document gives constructive notice to the world that a specific event, transaction, or statement was memorialized by the document.

Many jurisdictions or document recipients require certification and authentication. In addition, a certified or authenticated document allows a document to be read into evidence.