People all over the world may travel for business or pleasure. Many times, traveling overlaps with the need to execute important personal or business documents. When that happens, the person traveling abroad may find themselves in need of an Apostille.
But What is an Apostille?
An Apostille is basically certification from a foreign government that a Notary's stamp is valid. An Apostille allows a foreign government to recognise an international document that has a Notary stamp.
Apostille is originally a French word that means notation. The need for international collaboration on official documents led to the creation of the Apostille. Any government that participates in the Hague Convention will recognise an Apostille for international notarised documents coming from another member state.
The Hague Apostille Convention
Since 1961, the Hague Convention has replaced the need for either consular or diplomatic legalisation for critical documents. An Apostille uses special number based fields that transcend language barriers. Any document originating in a country that signed the 1961 Hague Convention can receive an Apostille and be valid in another country that signed. The member states include the United Kingdom.
An Apostille speeds up the authentication process. That makes it easier for those doing business or conducting important personal matters in another country to use documents from one country in another. Common examples of documents that may require an Apostille include birth certificates, marriage licenses, and important business documents.
How to Get An Apostille
Obtaining an Apostille is a straightforward process. You would sign the documents in front of a Notary in the Hague Convention country where the document originates. After that, you would seek an Apostille from the United Kingdom's Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
The office will verify the Notary's signature and seal and attach either an Apostille or a Legalisation Certificate to the notarised document. The final step may involve going to the consulate of the country where you intend to use the document. This is only necessary if that country does not participate in the Hague Convention. Otherwise, receiving the Apostille from the Foreign and Commonwealth office is effectively the last step. This is how to get an Apostille
Notary Publics
You can sign a document anywhere, as many notaries are mobile. That means they will come to you. Notaries are professionals who serve as public officers. They have authorisation by the UK government to witness and authenticate signatures. Their job usually includes verifying the identity of all signing parties, making sure everyone is competent to sign, and ensuring all parties understand the contents of the document.
A Notary will verify your identification, briefly discuss the document with you, and witness your signing. He or she will apply a stamp or seal to the completed document. From there, you often have the option of having the Notary obtain the Apostille or going to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on your own. Once the Apostille is in place, you can expect any foreign country that participates in the Hague Convention to accept the documents and notarisation as valid.