Apostille and Certificate of Authentication

In the global business world, apostille documents depend on their ability to effectively navigate international documents and regulations. This requires a thorough understanding of local, state and foreign legal systems and how they relate to each other. A common hurdle is the need for a document to be authenticated or legalized before it will be recognized in another country. The authentication or apostille process is a way of validating signatures and ensuring the authenticity of public documents such as court orders, contracts, vital records, adoption papers and diplomas.

The type of authentication required is determined by the destination country. Our office issues both apostille and certificate of authentication documents. An apostille is a one-page document with a laser printed facsimile of the New York State seal. The certificate of authentication is also a one-page document with the same features.

Everything You Need to Know About Apostille Documents

The document to be authenticated must be a public document signed by a notary public, a County Clerk or a State official. Generally, the document must bear a stamp or seal that includes the notary’s name and the state where he or she is commissioned. It is important that this be done correctly so the document will be valid in its intended destination country.

A business that submits documents incorrectly for authentication can incur significant delays and additional costs. To avoid this, it is recommended that a business review the country’s requirements before sending any documents to our office for authentication.