Documents that are going to be used in foreign countries need to have their authenticity verified. An apostille is an international certification that confirms the validity of the signature, seal or stamp on a document. It is a form of authentication that is recognized by member countries of the Hague Convention of 1961. The apostille looks similar to a notarization, but the information it contains is much more extensive. How to apostille a document

An Apostille vs Notarization

To get an apostille, your document must be certified by a notary public. It must also have a clear impression of the notary’s seal or stamp. When looking for a notary, make sure they are approved by the New York State Secretary of State. A notary that does not have a valid commission will not be able to apostille documents.

When to Use an Apostille

If the country where you need to use the document is a member of the Hague Convention, then you do not need any additional certification or legalization to be accepted there. However, if it is not a member of the Hague Convention, you will need a certificate issued by the US Department of State or your state’s secretary of state.

You may be able to get your document apostilled at the municipal archives, depending on the type of document and your needs. You will need to bring the document, a letter from the municipality requesting the apostille, and the record(s) with you when you visit the clerk’s office.