What is the difference between an Apostille and a notarization?

When you need to use a document in another country, you may need to get it apostilled or notarized. But what is the difference between these two processes?

An Apostille is a certificate that authenticates the origin of a public document. It is issued by the competent authorities of the country where the document was issued. The Apostille Convention, which was adopted in 1961, created a simplified system for authenticating documents for use in other countries that are party to the Convention.

A notarization is a process in which a notary public witnesses the signing of a document and certifies that the signer is who they say they are. Notarization does not verify the contents of the document, but it does ensure that the signature is genuine.

The main difference between an Apostille and a notarization is that an Apostille is used to authenticate the origin of a document, while a notarization is used to authenticate the signature of a document.

Here is a table summarizing the key differences between an Apostille and a notarization:

Feature	Apostille	Notarization
Purpose	To authenticate the origin of a document	To authenticate the signature of a document
Issuing authority	Competent authorities of the country where the document was issued	Notary public
Countries that accept	Countries that are party to the Apostille Convention	Varies by country
Documents that can be apostilled	Public documents, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, and diplomas Etc.	Any document that requires a signature

If you need to use a document in another country, you should check with the authorities in that country to see if an Apostille is required. You can also contact the nearest embassy or consulate of the country where you will be using the document for more information.

Here are some additional things to keep in mind about apostilles and notarizations:

• The Apostille Convention is not the only way to authenticate documents for use in other countries. Some countries may require a different type of authentication, such as a consular legalization.
• The process of getting an Apostille or notarization can vary from country to country. It is important to check with the authorities in the country where you will be using the document to find out the specific requirements.
• The cost of getting an Apostille or notarization can also vary from country to country.
• Apostille and notarization fees are usually non-refundable.

I hope this blog post has helped you to understand the difference between an Apostille and a notarization. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us.