Menu
Notary for Apostille & International Documents
The Process for International Notary
Notary has different meanings in different countries. In the United States, a notary identifies and affirms your willingness in a transaction. In Mexico, a notary is a high-ranking attorney appointed exclusively by the governor. When things go international, rules change. Fortunately, the Hague Convention has provided a means for many countries to recognize local authorities or public servants through Apostille.
First, we notarize your document.
We identify you and recognize your willingness to have signed a document. Then, we stamp and record it. Done!
Second, You’ll send your document to the California Secretary of State.
For your document to be recognized internationally, the notary must also be identified. The California Secretary of State (SOS) office in Sacramento will process your document for the Apostille certificate.
Lastly, It’s time to send the document to your receiving agency.
Once we’re verified and your Apostille certificate is attached to the notarized document, you’re most likely ready to use your document internationally. However, before you begin this process, seek full clarity on what your receiving agency needs and their country’s guidelines. Notaries cannot know what receiving agencies desire overseas and are unqualified to provide legal advice.
More Information on Apostille & Authentication
Individuals and organizations that need to send documents overseas may find themselves needing to coordinate for an Apostille or Authentication. Authentication is a special process where the California Secretary of State certifies the authenticity of a local official and the manner in which that official acted. Many people who get a document notarized for international agencies will then need to send their documents to the California Secretary of State for further authentication so that it may be recognized internationally. The Apostille recognizes officials such as Notary Publics, County Clerks or Recorders, Court Administrators of the Superior Court, Executive Clerks of the Superior Court, Officers whose authority is not limited to any particular county, Executive Officers of the Superior Court, Judges of the Superior Court, and State Officials.
Thanks to The Hague Convention, authentications and Apostilles are recognized by many participating countries around the world. However, every country has its own document processing procedures and the term ‘notary’ often varies in meaning from country to country, serving different capacities and roles entirely. If your document is heading overseas, it’s best to contact the foreign agency to see exactly what they require. If your document requires authentication, Apostille, or notary, you can review the ABCs of Apostille offered by the Hague Conference.
SD Signings often handles notarizations for documents going overseas. We deal with international contracts for businesses and foreign adoptions that often require authentications. If you find yourself needing our services, we’re glad to help with the process. However, we cannot provide legal advice regarding the documents or their processing because we are not attorneys. We can assist with the notarization and provide you with the steps for authentications in California.
Thanks to The Hague Convention, authentications and Apostilles are recognized by many participating countries around the world. However, every country has its own document processing procedures and the term ‘notary’ often varies in meaning from country to country, serving different capacities and roles entirely. If your document is heading overseas, it’s best to contact the foreign agency to see exactly what they require. If your document requires authentication, Apostille, or notary, you can review the ABCs of Apostille offered by the Hague Conference.
SD Signings often handles notarizations for documents going overseas. We deal with international contracts for businesses and foreign adoptions that often require authentications. If you find yourself needing our services, we’re glad to help with the process. However, we cannot provide legal advice regarding the documents or their processing because we are not attorneys. We can assist with the notarization and provide you with the steps for authentications in California.
