What is an Apostille and When Do I Need One?

What is an Apostille and When Do I Need One?

^{Public documents, such as birth certificates, judgments, patents or notarial attestations ( A verification by the secretary of state) of a notary’s}

^{signature, frequently need to be used abroad.}

^{The California Secretary of State provides authentication of public official signatures on documents to be used outside the United States of America. The country of destination determines whether the authentication is an Apostille or Certification. Apostilles and Certifications only certify to the authenticity of the signature of the official who signed the document, the capacity in which that official acted, and when appropriate, the identity of the seal or stamp which the document bears. The Apostille or Certification does not validate the contents of the document.
The California Secretary of State authenticates signatures only on documents issued in the State of California signed by a notary public or the following public officials and their deputies:
County Clerks or Recorders
Court Administrators of the Superior Court
Executive Clerks of the Superior Court
Officers whose authority is not limited to any particular county
Executive Officers of the Superior Court
Judges of the Superior Court
State Officials}

^{For more information, you can click on the following links:}

http://www.sos.ca.gov/notary/authentication/

https://assets.hcch.net/upload/abc12e.pdf