An apostille is a form of authentication that is issued to documents for use in countries that are members of the Hague Convention. This convention, which was created in 1961, aims to simplify the process of legalizing documents for use in foreign countries. An apostille is a certificate that is attached to a document, and it verifies the authenticity of the document’s signature, the capacity in which the person signing the document acted, and the identity of any stamp or seal on the document.
When it comes to the requirements for obtaining an apostille in California, the process is relatively straightforward. The first step is to have the document notarized by a California notary public. Once the document has been notarized, it can then be sent to the California Secretary of State’s office for authentication.
The California Secretary of State’s office is responsible for issuing apostilles for all documents that are issued, executed, or certified in California. This includes documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, and diplomas. In order for the California Secretary of State’s office to issue an apostille for a document, the document must first be notarized. This means that the person who signed the document must have appeared before a California notary public and provided identification.
The process for obtaining an apostille from the California Secretary of State’s office is as follows:
- Submit the document to be apostilled in original or certified copy along with the required fee.
- Provide the information of the country where the document will be used.
- Wait for the processing time of 5 business days.
It’s important to note that not all documents are eligible for an apostille. For example, documents that are issued by the federal government, such as a passport or a federal tax return, cannot be apostilled. Additionally, documents that are not original or certified copies will not be accepted for apostille.
In California, the fee for an apostille is $20 for the first document and $15 for each additional document of the same kind submitted at the same time. The payment can be made through check, money order or credit card.
Once the California Secretary of State’s office has issued an apostille for a document, it can be used in any country that is a member of the Hague Convention. As of 2021, there are over 110 countries that are members of the Hague Convention, including most European countries, as well as Australia, Canada, and Japan.
It’s important to note that while an apostille is a form of authentication, it is not the same as a translation. If the document will be used in a country where the official language is not English, it will also need to be translated by a certified translator.
In summary, an apostille is a certificate that verifies the authenticity of a document’s signature, the capacity in which the person signing the document acted, and the identity of any stamp or seal on the document. In California, the process of obtaining an apostille is relatively straightforward, and it can be done by submitting the notarized document to the California Secretary of State’s office along with the required fee. The document can then be used in any country that is a member of the Hague Convention. However, it’s important to note that not all documents are eligible for an apostille, and that documents that will be used in a country where the official language is not English will also need to be translated.