What Is an Apostille?
An Apostille is a certificate that authenticates the signature of a public official on a document for use in another country. It certifies the authenticity of the signature of the public official who signed the document and the capacity in which that public official acted.
Difference Between Notarized and Apostilled
Notarized documents are used only within the United States, while an apostille is used as a form of authentication between different countries.
How to Obtain an Apostille
To get something apostilled, you can request it by mail. The requirements include a document signed by a California public official or an original notarized and/or certified document, a cover sheet stating the country of use, and payment to the Secretary of State.
Who Can Apostille a Document?
For an apostille to be valid, both the country where the public document was issued and the country of use must be members of the Apostille Convention. India is a member of the Hague Convention and has adopted the Apostille Convention.
Notarization Definition
Notarization is the official process that assures the authenticity of a document and its parties. It includes vetting, certifying, and record-keeping by a Notary Public.
What Is an Apostille in DFA?
An Apostille authenticates the origin of a public document and is issued by a country party to the Apostille Convention for use in another member country.