Notary Geek · FAQ
Find out what an apostille is, what to prepare, and where to start. Notary Geek can help with the work, or you can use the free DIY guidance.
Open a question to read the answer.
An apostille is a certificate used to authenticate the origin of a public document for use abroad under the 1961 Apostille Convention. It replaces the diplomatic or consular legalization that would otherwise be required for a document within the Convention. The issuing authority belongs to the place where the public document originates. Do I need one? Read the explanation.
An apostille authenticates specified features of a public document’s origin. It does not certify the truth of its contents or make every recipient accept it. What an apostille proves.
Start with the document and the job it must do. An apostille can remove an authentication barrier, but it is not needed for every document used abroad. Check when an apostille may be unnecessary.
Use the authority designated for the document’s origin and category. A notary, courier or apostille service is not automatically that authority. Find the issuing authority.
Official records and documents you sign can need different steps. Start with the exact record and issuing office before arranging notarization. Find your document type or get document help.
Identify the exact public document being authenticated. A certificate about a copy or translation has a different role from the original issuing record. Read the copy and translation guidance.
Keep the document unchanged. Include the written instructions or rejection, who issued it, where the document will be used, and your deadline. Use the existing document-review guidance to choose the appropriate next step.
Start by identifying the document and who needs to sign. Document review separates official-record work, signer intake and a helper's role. For signer guidance, read the existing intake instructions; for helping another person, read the third-party guidance.
Start with the document type, issuing office, destination country and deadline. Scope, expected handling and delivery are reviewed before payment. Compare the existing services and read the timing dashboard and its source dates. For DIY, check the issuing office's current fees and processing instructions.
Wait for document-specific shipping instructions before mailing originals for managed service. Some requests need a physical original or certified copy; a digital review is a starting step. Read the paper-document guidance and confirm what you have.
Check the document format and the intended use before choosing delivery. Read the existing electronic-apostille explanation for format, verification and paper-handling limits.
Tell us the document type, issuing office or notary state, destination country, deadline and any written instructions you already have. Choose the document-review route; it explains the separate steps for official records, notarization and helpers.
For a new notarization, the actual signer starts with free signer intake and personally completes Persona before individual arrangements or booking. A document file is optional at that first step. Helpers use third-party pre-sales and forward the signer link; a helper's submission does not create an accepted engagement or priority support.
Use your existing email or message thread so the request stays together. Open request support for what to include and the current contact options. You do not need to submit the same request again for an update.
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Read the steps and official sources without starting a service request.
You can read the guidance and public JSON without starting a service request. Use the official issuing office's current instructions for your exact document.
Use the official lookups for current records. Business profiles and educational links provide background; they do not establish eligibility, government approval or acceptance of a particular document.
