Is a Document Apostille Really Important for You?

For several decades, ambitious people have gone to other countries to learn new things and find new opportunities. This has caused a global shift in which every country that sends workers has seen a big drop in the number of workers available.

Since emigration helps reduce unemployment in a big way, many nations have begun to work together to make the process easier.

There are two ways to leave a country, which are called “attestation” and “apostille.” Since the US is a member of the Hague Convention of 1961, the latter is allowed, but you have to follow a long list of rules to do so.

Before learning about the apostille requirements, it is essential to understand why they are necessary.

Why do you Need Document Apostille?

As we’ve already said, the countries that are part of the Hague Convention of 1961 accept Document Apostille. It serves as a legal seal that verifies the legitimacy of your papers to the approximately 117 member states.

According to the United States government, these “documents” include:

• Certified by an American or foreign consul
• Issues by a federal agency

Since more people want to make a life for themselves abroad, there are a lot more authentication service providers. So, if you’re looking for an apostille in New Jersey, there’s a good chance you’ll find one close by.

This growth has also made it less difficult for you to travel between “Hague Countries.” Even though the apostille process is very complicated, you have to go through it in order to leave the country. Therefore, a nearby service provider is just what you require to make things easier.

But you will need more than just that!

Apostille Requirements

Before submitting your papers for verification, the US government requires that you notarize each one in the presence of a public notary.

Depending on whether the notary public is appointed at the national or state level, you must follow two distinct procedures. That is to say:

1. Country: First, the documents need to be signed by the clerk of court in the country where the notary is commissioned. After that, they need to be certified by the secretary of state where the document was notarized.
2. State: In this particular scenario, the signature of simply the secretary of state will do. Therefore, if your papers were notarized in New Jersey, all that is required in order for you to seek help for apostille in NJ is the certification from the secretary.

The government of the United States provides further information, including a step-by-step guide that can help you notarize and certify your papers. In addition, it explicitly indicates that your request cannot be processed without the appropriate notarization prior to submitting the papers.