Apostille
Are you planning to use legal documents abroad/internationally for matters such as immigration, studying or working abroad, getting married or divorced, or starting a business? If so, you will undoubtedly be asked to have your legal/public documents apostilled or authenticated. At TCB Legacy Law, we now offer apostille and authentication document services and are excited to help you with your paperwork as you embark upon a new journey abroad.
But first,
What is an Apostille vs. Authentication Certificate? And, which applies?
An Apostille or Authentication allows a public document issued in one country to be accepted as legally recognized or valid in another country. The apostille certification process confirms a document is legally valid in order to be accepted by the requesting/destination country. The reason for this process is to ensure the legal documents you intend to use or send to another country have been verified/certified as copies of the originals and not fraudulent. The two main ways of verifying is through apostille or authentication.
The Apostille certification is issued under the Hague Convention of 1961. The Apostille certification is issued at the state or federal level depending on the type of legal document being submitted for certification. The certification process confirms where the document originated, and verifies the signature(s), or seal from a notary public or government official within the document.
Apostille and The Hague Convention of 1961:
The Hague Convention of 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization of Foreign Public Documents, (HCCH Apostille Convention) created a standard process for authenticating documents of Hague member countries. It removed the need of consulate certification. Apostille became the new process of certifying documents which now saves time and money and creates a uniform way of certifying/verifying legal documents for use abroad.
Hague Member Countries:
There are currently over 125 countries, including the United States which are members of the Hague Convention of 1961. Hague Member countries work together collaboratively to ensure Apostilles are recognized by Hague member countries. To see a full list of Hague Countries click on the list of countries (hyperlink will be added here).
Non-Hague Member Countries and Authentication:
Countries who are not members of the Hague Convention do not recognize Apostilles. Non-Hague Countries use Authentication as the process for verifying/certifying the validity of legal documents. Unlike an apostille, which is a one-step process, in authentication, your documents will undergo a multi-step process to establish authenticity. This is may also referred to as Embassy Authentication. This entails first being certified by the state from which the documents originate and then to the U.S. Department of State, some embassies or consulates may omit this step. From there the documents will then be submitted to the consulate or the foreign country's embassy where the documents will be reviewed for the final authentication, which is a consular seal. Again, like Apostille, the Authentication process is to prevent fraudulent documents from being accepted by international governments/bodies.
In sum, if a country is a non-Hague member, Authentication is the process used to certify or verify the public/legal documents intended or required to used abroad.
What are the types of Public/Legal Documents that may be Apostilled or Authenticated?
The Hague Convention defines public document as:
1. Documents from courts or tribunals public prosecutor, a clerk of a court or a process-server;
2. Administrative documents;
3. Notarial acts;
4. Official certificates which are placed on documents.
Below are a few examples of the types of documents that may be Apostilled or Authenticated, this list includes, but is not limited to:
1. Birth Certificates
2. Death Certificates
3. Marriage Certificates
4. Affidavits
5. Powers of Attorney
6. Court Orders
7. Diplomas
8. Transcripts
9. Deeds
10. Bills of Sale
Types of Apostilles
State Apostille
Each state designates a Competent Authority that issues an apostille for a public document. Here in Florida, the Competent Authority is the Florida Secretary of State.
Overview of the Apostille Process in Florida
Before filing for an Apostille, it is important to find out whether your documents qualify to be apostilled by the Florida Department of State. Some of the acceptable documents include agency or official documents, birth and death certificates, marriage and divorce certificates, documents notarized by a Florida Notary Public, and criminal background checks, among others. Also known as public documents, these are documents that have either been notarized or issued by an elected or appointed public official of the State of Florida.
How to file for Apostille
1. Fill in the Apostille and Notarial Certificate Request Form.
2. Include an original certified copy or certificate of status of the document that needs to be certified. For notarized documents, a full notarized statement and the original notary public's signature, stamp, and seal should be present.
3. While mailing in the documents, include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your name and address and a pre-paid, pre-addressed air bill with your name and address.
4. Include appropriate payment amount.
5. Mail to Florida Department of State.
Before filing for an Apostille, it is important to consider: is the destination country a member of the Hague Convention, is an apostille or authentication required for the document you intend to use abroad, does the government agency abroad require an apostille or authentication for the document you intend to use. Not sure about any of these considerations or how to file, reach out to our office we have a team of notaries and translators and are here to help: https://www.tcblegacy.com/contact-us or call at 954-302-8989.
Federal Apostille
A Federal Apostille is for documents issued by a federal government official and include the official's name, title, original signature, and original seal of the agency to which the official belongs. It also includes notarizations done by certain federal officers. These documents are specifically apostilled by the U.S. Department of State. The request for a Federal Apostille will include Form DS-4194 and the documents notarized by a state notary public and/ or clerk of court, and translated into English, if in a foreign language. Again, don't waste time on paperwork, let our office handle it, our team of notaries and translators and are here to help you. Reach out to our office at: 954-302-8989 or email [email protected].
Documents that require a Federal Apostille include, but not limited to:
1. FBI background checks
2. Military records
3. Social Security Letter
4. Naturalization Certificates
5. IRS Tax Records
Benefits of Working with TCB Legacy Law for Apostille or Authentication Services
1. International Acceptance
Need to have your documents recognized internationally to support the new chapter in your life? At TCB Legacy Law, we are determined to make your transition smooth and seamless. Working with our team ensures that your documents will be legally recognized. We diligently ensure your Apostille or Authentication filings are accurate, timely, and efficient, whether for business, education, or personal development purposes, so you can concentrate on achieving your goals.
2. Legal Compliance
At TCB Legacy Law, we are client-centered and will always strive to ensure client success. Whether looking to get married, adopt from abroad, or apply for school, by working with us, you can be sure that our apostille or authentication services conform to the required standards of Apostille and Authentication Certification. This guarantees your apostilled documents are in compliance with the legal standards abroad.
3. Authenticity
At TCB Legacy Law, our primary focus is to ensure your documents are authentic and valid. By following up on the entire Apostille or Authentication process from the moment you send in your documents, we are committed to confirming your records have that extra layer of verification to ensure against misrepresentation and fraudulent instances.
4. Efficiency of Processes
At TCB Legacy Law, we are determined to ensure you get the most out of the Apostille or Authentication process. Comprised of competent and driven professionals, we pride ourselves on operating as a team and are devoted to processing your apostilled or authenticated documents in a timely and efficient manner. This will in turn allow you to easily navigate through the systems both within the U.S. and abroad.
LET US HANDLE YOUR APOSTILLE OR AUTHENTICATION CERTIFICATE PAPERWORK
Whether you are relocating or immigrating to another country to get married, start a new job, or open a business the need to Apostille or Authenticate certain public or government documents may be required to verify that government signatures, seals, and stamps are legally valid in order to be accepted by the requesting/destination country. At TCB Legacy Law, we now offer apostille and authentication document services as another means of servicing our existing immigration and probate clients as well as new clientele. Don't stress over what forms or documents are required at the State or Federal level, instead focus on your new journey, reach out to our office for apostille or authentication services https://www.tcblegacy.com/contact-us or call at 954-302-8989.