Apostilles and Certifications are means of authenticating or legalizing a public official's signature on certain official documents that will be transmitted outside of the US.  Examples of such documents include business transaction documents, patent applications and patents, trademark applications and registrations, titles, assignments, foreign adoptions, and school transcripts.  Examples of public officials whose signature is verified include notary public, clerks and other public officials.   The Apostille or Certification is attached to the official document.  It confirms the existence of the particular public official.  

The country of the document's destination determines whether an Apostille or Regular Certification is required.  

The Hague Convention of 1961 created a standard system of legalizing documents for universal recognition and acceptance by its member nations.  The Apostille is a specific format of an authentication certificate that is required in Hague member nations.  Nations that are not a part of the Hague convention may still recognize an Apostille or a Certification in certain circumstances. 

We work regularly with lawyers in many countries outside the US, particularly the United Kingdom, France, Finland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, Japan and Mexico.  If you have have an intellectual property or other legal matter outside the US please call us for advise or a referral.

Contact Jessica Raska for details about our authentication or other international services.