In short, an Apostille certifies a document. Once certified, the document the apostille can be recognized in a foreign nation that is a part of the 1961 Hague Convention Treaty. The Secretary of State and the U.S. Department of State are the only entities who can issue apostilles in the United States. For foreign countries that are not apart of the 1961 Hague Convention Treaty, authentication certificates are issued instead apostilles. Here at Notary Glow, we free our clients of the hassle of obtaining apostilles and authentication certificates. We have experience with the handling process for both 1961 Hague Convention Treaty members and Non-Hague Convention Treaty members. Marriage certificates, death certificates, birth certificates, divorce decrees, banking documents, corporation documents, background checks, power of attorneys, educational documents, and Etc., are examples of documents that receive apostilles or authentications. There are a multitude of documents and many reasons for having to obtain an apostille or authentication certificate. Notary Glow can assist you with our services for many of your unique circumstances.

Apostille - Who Can Apostille? How Can I Get An Apostille?

Apostilles authenticate the seals and signatures of officials on public documents such as birth and death certificates, court orders, educational documents, or any other document issued by a federal or state agency or certified by an American or foreign consul. Apostilles can only be issued and recognized by members of the 1961 Hague Convention. The U.S. Department of State issues apostilles on federally-issued documents. Any document issued by a U.S. Federal Official, U.S. Consular Officer, a Military Notary, Judge Advocate (10 USC 1044a) or Foreign Consul Diplomatic Official registered with the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Protocol, requires an apostille at a federal level (Apostille Requirements). The Secretary of State issues apostilles for non-federal issued documents.

Obtaining an apostille at a state-level varies from state to state. You must physically have the document(s) you want to have apostilled. The document(s) may require motorization. If notarization is needed, it is your responsibility to get your document(s) notarized. If you choose to work with Notary Glow, we can notarize the document(s) for you. Next, you’ll need to choose the appropriate cover letter for the state where your document(s) were notarized and fill it out completely. It is very important to follow the payment requirements of the state. And finally, send your cover letter, payment and documentation to the appropriate Secretary of State. Failure to follow the directions set forth by the Secretary of State not only delays your apostille process, it stops the process, completely. Hiring Notary Glow to get your apostille helps you avoid the hassle that comes from submitting improper paperwork, documentation, fees and return mail requirements. If you don’t have the correct document(s) when you contact us, we will assist you and tell you exactly how to retrieve them. If necessary, we can notarize the document(s) so you don’t waste time locating a Notary Public. The various cover letters and requirements provided by the Secretary of State are second nature to Notary Glow. We will fill out the appropriate forms to its entirety and submit the correct forms of payments in compliance with the Secretary of State’s request.  

Obtaining a federal-level apostille is consistent for everyone. There is only one organization that has the authority to issue a federal-level apostille; that is the U.S. Department of State. The process of obtaining a federal-level apostille takes longer due to the number of requests and higher level of security. If you need an apostille or an authentication certificate, you have to move quickly with this process. You must have the document(s) you need to have apostilled in the physical form. You must get your document(s) notarized, if the notarization is required. If you do not have the proper notarizations before you submit your documents, the U.S. Department of State will not process your request(s). If it applies, get your document(s) certified by the clerk of court. Then, get your document(s) certified by the Secretary of State. All seals and signatures must be originals. The U.S. Department of State will not accept copies unless they are “true certified copies” from a Notary Public. All documents in a foreign language must be translated to English. All documents must be submitted with the Form DS-4194 and along with the appropriate fees. Obtaining a federal-level apostille requires a lot more steps than a state-level apostille and it takes a lot longer to receive your apostilles from the U.S. Department of State.

Authentication Certificate - How Can I Get One?

An Authentication Certificate is used in place of an Apostille for nations that are not part of The 1961 Hague Convention Treaty. For foreign nations that are not members of The 1961 Hague Convention, these nations are known as Non-Hague countries. Authentication certificates are used to certify the documents. If you are submitting documents to be used in a non-Hague country, you would need to submit documents to the Secretary of State and the U.S. Department of State in order to receive an authentication certificate. You must follow two separate procedures to make sure that you obtain your authentication certificates in time for business & travel; failure to do so makes the process not completable. You can avoid this inconvenience by leaving the work to Notary Glow. We are very knowledgeable about the process of obtaining authentication certificates from the state-level and federal-level. Authentications and apostilles are predominately completed in the order they are received by the U.S. Department of State. At a state-level, apostilles and authentication certificates may be expedited if a client can prove urgent travel. A federal-level apostille and authentication usually cannot be expedited; the U.S. Department of State is usually low-staffed and they are presented with too many requests to expedite any process.

Your Apostille, Authentication Certificate & Notary Glow

Notary Glow is here for you. We are a notary company that provides Mobile Notary, Remote Online Notary & Apostille/Authentication Certificate Services. While you should come to us with your documents ready for apostille or authentication, we will assist you with obtaining the correct documents, if needed. If your documents require notarization; Notary Glow can provide the notarization for you. We will proceed to fill out the correct form to its entirety, with the appropriate information that you’ve provided. Depending on the state, Notary Glow will express ship or hand deliver your documents to the appropriate government agencies. Predominately, you’ll leave the job to us. Notary Glow is here!