An apostille is a certification that a document is authentic and has not been altered by the issuing authority. There are two types of apostilles: one for documents issued in countries that have signed the Hague Convention, and one for documents issued in countries that have not.
If your document was issued in a country which has signed the Hague Convention, you will need to get it certified by this country’s foreign ministry. You then take this certified document to the country in which you want to use it, which will then stamp or attach their seal to it.
If your document was issued in a country which has not signed the Hague Convention, you must first get it certified by an apostille service provider. Then take this certified document to the country in which you want to use it and request that they attach their seal or stamp on it. You cannot use an apostille to authenticate a document if the country in which it was issued has not signed the Hague Convention. If this is the case, you must have your document authenticated by an embassy or consulate.
If you need to use your document in multiple countries, it is best to get it certified by an apostille service provider. This way, you only have to make one trip to get the certification and can then take this certified copy with you when traveling abroad.
Apostille Services in Austin, Texas
There are many Austin apostille services that can help you with your document authentication. You may find that it is easiest to go through a company that has an office in Austin so that you do not have to pay for travel expenses or take time off from work. If you are interested in taking advantage of an Austin apostille service, be sure to look at the company’s website and see if they offer a free quote. Many companies will let you know what their fees are before you even make the trip there so that you can decide whether it is worth your time.