If you have a public document that needs to be used in another country, you may need an apostille. An apostille authenticates the origin of the document to enable it to be legally recognized in the foreign country. Authentication is a process that ensures that the document you are trying to use has been certified by government officials. Documents needing authentication are usually notarized (a signed certificate that confirms the authority of a notary public), reviewed by state or county officials and certified by the Department of State in the U.S. Depending on the destination country, you may also need to have your documents legalized at their embassy or consulate in the U.S.Learn more :https://apostille-usa.com/apostille-documents/

Public Document Apostille Services: What Qualifies

The New York Secretary of State’s office can issue an apostille on certain public documents for use in countries that are signatories to the 1961 Hague Convention. If the document you need to use is not on this list, the GSCCCA can provide a “certificate of authentication.” An authentication certificate certifies the signature and capacity of the official who signed the document.

Both types of authentication certificates verify that the seal or stamp on the document is genuine and can be accepted in the foreign country. Both are acceptable for most legal uses, but the type of authentication you need depends on where your document will be used. If you have questions about which type of certification you need, please contact the GSCCCA’s Authentication Division for help.