How Apostille And Notary Services Are Essential For Document Validation

When preparing official documents for use internationally, it’s important to understand the distinction between apostille and notary services. While both are forms of authentication, they are used for different purposes and in different situations.

A notary verifies the identity of the person signing a document and ensures that the signature is authentic. Notary services are necessary for documents like powers of attorney, contracts, and affidavits. The notary public witnesses the signing and affixes their official seal to confirm the document’s authenticity.

However, when a document needs to be used abroad, especially in countries that are signatories to the Hague Convention, an Apostille for notarized contracts is required. The apostille serves as a form of international Document legalization for international use verification. It is issued by an authorized government body and confirms that the document is genuine, making it acceptable in foreign countries without additional legalizations.

Understanding when to use apostille and notary services is key to ensuring your documents are legally accepted abroad.