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Whether you are an apostille department of state business traveler requiring official documents or an American citizen seeking to marry in another country, you may need to authenticate your public records. These documents must be certified as legal in their destination country through a process called the Apostille. While navigating these processes can be complex, there are certain steps you should take to streamline your paperwork and ensure its acceptance abroad.
In the state of New York, apostilles are issued by the Secretary of State. This office adheres to the standards of The Hague Convention of 1961, which outlines specific methods for document authentication across nations. The Secretary of State certifies public documents such as birth or marriage certificates, articles of incorporation and powers of attorney. This office also authenticates federal documents, such as a criminal background check or FBI clearance letter.
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To obtain an apostille, you must submit the original document or certified copy along with a completed submission form. The submission form must be signed by a notary public or a deputy clerk of the Secretary of State’s office. Once the documents are certified, they can be used in any country that accepts the Apostille protocol. The notary or deputy clerk will validate the signature, and the document is then sealed and certified by the department of state.
The apostille department of state offers same-day counter service for those who wish to drop off their paperwork and receive the certification on the spot. This option is available Monday – Friday, from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM. The Authentication Division does not provide UPS, fax or email return services for apostille documentation, so make sure to plan accordingly when dropping off your documents. The fee for this service is set at $10 per document, and payment is accepted by check or money order.