Guide To Document Apostille Services

When you need a translated document to be used in a foreign country, apostille Pennsylvania is often necessary to have the original document and its translation apostilled. This is a form of international authentication, also known as a certificate of authenticity, that guarantees the signature and seal of the official on the document are genuine.

Different countries have different rules for what documents require an apostille. The majority of countries are part of the Hague Convention of 1961, which simplifies the process for recognizing public documents that have been signed in one country in another. Documents that commonly need an apostille include court documents, notarial acts, personal documents (such as birth certificates, divorce decrees, and death certificates), patent applications, and certain official documents.

The first step is to Pennsylvania apostille service whether the document needs an apostille or an authentication certificate. You can do this by looking at the list of countries that are part of the 1961 Hague Convention, and checking whether they require an apostille or authentication certificate.

Once you know which type of apostille you need, you can send your document(s) to the correct state agency for processing. The appropriate agency is determined by where you plan to use the document, including an embassy or consulate.

When sending your documents to the state for processing, make sure you follow the exact instructions for that agency. For example, in New York City and Albany, you must drop your documents off at the Department of State, and not the county clerk’s office. In addition, the state requires a copy of your passport or other government-issued ID for processing.