New York State Apostille

Apostille is a French word that means certification. The Apostille is used to certify the authenticity of the signature, the capacity in which the person signing the document ... Only certain government offices are authorized to issue an Apostille. In the USA, the issuing authority for the Apostille is the Secretary of State.  So states allow other authority to issue the Apostille, for instance in New Jersey, the issuing authority for the Apostille is the Department of Treasury. 

The most important thing to remember about the Apostille is that, the Apostille in no way validates the contents of the document. The Apostille is for only use on documents going to a foreign country.

If an Apostille is issued in the USA, it is not for use in the USA. The Apostille must include these specific 10 elements list below:

Model of Certificate

  • Name of the country that the document is from
  • Name of person signing the document
  • The capacity in which the person signing the document
  • The name of the authority that placed the seal or the stamp
  • Location of certification
  • Date of certification issue
  • The certificate is issued by what authority
  • Certificate Number assigned to the Apostille
  • Issuing authority  seal or stamp
  • Competent Authority issuing the certificate Signature

The actual Apostille should look something like this; it should be in the form of a square with side at least 9 centimeters long. Most Apostilles issued in the USA are printed on 8 1/2" by 11" letterhead.

APOSTILLE

(Convention de LaHaye du 5 octobre 1961)

1. Country:

This public document 

2. has been signed by 

3. acting in the capacity of

4. bears the seal / stamp of 

Certified

5. At                                             6. the

7. by 

8. No

9. Seal/Stamp:                                 10. Signature:

 

Notary & Apostille Service can only support birth certificates, death certificates, educational records and other documents originating or created in the United States. If your document originated from or was created in another country, you will have to contact an authorized service in the country in order to get your document Legalized. The Apostille issued in the United States is for use in other countries or if requested by an embassy or consulate in the USA.

Notary & Apostille Service can do everything from start to finish to assist you in getting your document Legalized for an Apostile or Embassy Legalization!

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