Apostille & Authentication

FAQ

Apostille vs. Authentication

What is an Apostille?

An apostille is a simplified form of authentication of public documents to be used internationally when conducting business in foreign countries. The country where these documents will be used must be a member of the 1961 Hague Convention Treaty in order to utilize this simplified form of authentication.

Documents, such as corporate filings or certificates and Power of Attorneys, are authenticated with an apostille (certificate) issued by the Secretary of State’s office and typically do not require additional certification or legalization by an embassy or consulate of the foreign country where these documents will be used. Requirements may vary by country and our service representatives will provide you with the required steps to complete the process.

What is Authentication?

If the country you wish to use the documents in to conduct business is NOT a part of the 1961 Hague Convention Treaty, then it will need to go through the authentication process. This process is used to validate the corporate documents and requires a sealed certificate confirming the authority of the notary public (or any public official), then certified by the Department of State. After completing the first two steps above, the documents then need to be certified by the foreign jurisdiction, a process called legalization, which usually takes place at the country’s embassy or consulate within the U.S.

Can I Choose Which Process?

No, apostilles and authentications are not the same nor are they interchangeable. The appropriate process is determined by whether the country in question is a party to the Hague Convention Treaty. Using the incorrect process will result in rejection by the foreign country and may render the documents useless. However, there’s no need to guess. Telos Legal Corp. provides service based on the foreign country’s requirement and we will inform you which process is required along with turnaround times and costs.