What Is an Apostille, and Why Does the Notary Matter?
If you’re sending a document to another country, the receiving office may tell you it needs an apostille. What does that mean?
An apostille is a certificate used for international documents going to countries that participate in the Hague Apostille Convention. For a Florida notarized document, the Florida Secretary of State uses it to authenticate the notary’s signature, seal, and official capacity. It does not confirm that everything written in the document is true or that the receiving office will accept it.
You might need an apostille for a power of attorney, a signed statement, or certain school or court records. The steps depend on the document and the country where it will be used. Some documents are issued by state offices; others are issued by the federal government and follow a different process.
Why does your choice of notary matter?
The apostille process relies on a properly completed notarization. A missing signature, incorrect certificate, or unclear seal can delay your request. An experienced notary will identify the notarial act requested, complete the certificate carefully, and help you understand which part of the process they perform.
Before your appointment, ask the receiving office exactly what it requires. Then choose a commissioned notary who takes the time to handle your document with care.
At Mendoza Coastal Notary, LLC, I provide bilingual English and Spanish mobile notary services and apostille facilitation. If you’ve been told your document needs an apostille, contact me and we can start by identifying the document, its destination, and the instructions you received.
