How is Apostille Certification Different From other Document Legalization?

There are similar terms as – Apostille, Authentication and Legalization. These are not the same, though similar. Before you head off to find an apostille in Los Angeles, learn about the basic difference between these to make your search refined.

What is an Apostille?

The Apostille Treaty is an international treaty that specifies the process through which a document issued in one of the signatory countries can be certified for legal purposes in all the other signatory countries. An apostille is often attached to the document by an appropriate government official after it is notarized.

Is Apostille the same as authentication or legalization?

No – in one word. Apostille is not the same as authentication or legalization. And the difference is simple. Find below the main points of both that clarify the difference:

Apostille:

• An Apostille is a form of authentication issued for documents that will be used in countries that participate in the Hague Convention of 1961.
• Apostilles authenticate only those documents that are to be used in another country.
• It can be in the form of a stamp on a document or might be attached to the document as an allonge very firmly so that it never gets detached.

Authentication:

• It’s a process of verifying whether the documents are original or fake.
• As the process varies in different countries, there are various documents required to be submitted.

Legalization:

• Legalization shows that the document was issued by a competent and expert authority.
• It approves the signature, seal or stamp as a mark of authenticity.
• Legalization validates the document’s format as correct.

What types of documents require an apostille?

A company may need an apostille stamp on their articles of incorporation, a power of attorney or bylaws. There may be requirements of apostilles on academic transcripts, diplomas and assignments or on birth, marriage and death certificates.

About an Apostille Stamp – the provider, the process and the process

• Each state has authorized Office of the Secretary of State who is empowered to place the stamp on documents for use in foreign countries. You will find the information on the process on the website of the secretary of state, which normally varies somewhat from one state to the next.
• The applicants are supposed to fill out a form explaining the document that needs to be authenticated, how it will be used and where it will be used.
• The applicant sends the form and the original document that needs the stamp and the fee to the secretary of state for processing.
• The document is sent back to the applicant after few days duly signed and sealed with apostille stamp.

Complications and restrictions of Apostille

• Documents that are not signed by a recognized government official may need to be notarized before receiving the apostille stamp. The document must be signed in the presence of a notary who attests the authenticity of the signature.
• The secretary of state’s office authenticates the signature of the notary as a recognized official and in case of any doubt about the need of notarization, it is better to get it clarified from the secretary of state’s office before mailing the request.

These abovementioned points are important and must be kept in mind while looking for apostille in Los Angeles.