When traveling to another country for anything other than a vacation, you will often need apostille authentication of important documents. But how do you know if you need to follow the process of apostille or embassy legalization?
An apostille (French for ‘certification’) is a way to confirm the authenticity of a document. The Hague Convention of 1961 determined that all member countries would accept the apostille process, while non-members must follow the embassy legalization process.
Don’t worry if you are unsure if your documents require an apostille or embassy legalization. We have worked with almost every country worldwide and know which authentication requirements are needed.
Acquiring a Nevada apostille can be difficult when done on your own. That is why we are here to help you.
Tips for Compiling Your Documents
Understanding the requirements of each document needing an apostille can be challenging. While this list is not all-inclusive, we have compiled some tips for you.
Vital records DO NOT require a notary – it is best never to notarize a vital record such as a birth or death certificate.
Certified copies – we must have a certified copy of your vital records. These can be obtained through the county or origin (birth certificate from where you were born) or from the online service VitalCheck.
Use a tracking carrier – sometimes, we may need your original document to receive an apostille. In these cases, we recommend sending the document through a mailing service that tracks your package, such as FedEx or DHL.
Notarization – when your document is notarized, it must include the proper phrasing, such as the date, how the signer is known, the fact that the notary witnessed the signature, the notary’s certification number, and the date their certification expires.
Every document requires an apostille – you cannot request one apostille for several documents.
Even the smallest error can cause your apostille application to be delayed or rejected. That is why we will always review your documents before we begin the apostille process. We will notify you immediately if you of any missing information or errors. This extra step we take saves you time and money.
