What is the difference between a Stamp and an Apostille?
What is the difference between a Stamp and an Apostille?
What is the difference between a Stamp and an Apostille?
This isIn today’s interconnected world, documents often need to cross international borders. Whether it’s for legal, business, or personal reasons, having the right certifications on your documents is crucial. One of the common points of confusion is understanding the difference between a simple stamp and an Apostille.
What is a Stamp?
A stamp, often referred to as a notary stamp or a notarization, is a common way to authenticate documents. It involves a notary public or authorized person verifying the authenticity of a document, witnessing signatures, and confirming identities. The notary’s seal and signature on the document indicate that it has been properly executed and is legitimate.
When is a Stamp Used?
- Legal Documents: Stamps are commonly used for legal documents like contracts, affidavits, and powers of attorney.
- Personal Documents: Documents like wills, deeds, and some types of agreements often require notarization.
- Business Transactions: Businesses may need notarized documents for various purposes, such as mergers, acquisitions, and contracts.
What is an Apostille?
An Apostille is a specialized form of certification that is used for documents intended for use in foreign countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention. It is a standardized certificate that verifies the authenticity of a document, ensuring it will be recognized and accepted in other member countries. An Apostille simplifies the process of international document recognition.
When is an Apostille Used?
- International Business: When conducting business internationally, you may need an Apostille on documents like contracts, agreements, and corporate filings.
- Legal Proceedings: Legal documents such as court judgments, adoption papers, and immigration documents often require Apostilles for cross-border validity.
- Academic and Personal Documents: Educational certificates, diplomas, and personal documents like birth and marriage certificates might need Apostilles for use in foreign countries.
The Key Differences
- Scope of Recognition: A stamp’s recognition is typically limited to the country where it was issued, while an Apostille is recognized in all member countries of the Hague Apostille Convention.
- Certifying Authority: Stamps are provided by notaries or authorized individuals, whereas Apostilles are issued by government authorities designated by member countries.
- International Use: Stamps may not be sufficient for documents intended for international use, whereas Apostilles are specifically designed for cross-border recognition.
- Document Types: Stamps are commonly used for various documents, while Apostilles are typically required for specific types of documents used abroad.
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Passport copy certification process
The passport copy certification is a simple process, a notary public (or other certified individual) compares the copy to the original document, and attaches a notarial certificate stating that the copy is the same as the original. Sometimes, the notary also certifies other documents such as a will. T
he notary observes the person signing the will, and then compares the signature to the one on the document to make sure it’s authentic. This, however, depends on particular state laws, as not all states accept notary certification procedures. For instance, Michigan does not accept notaries to certify copies, whereas California only permits notaries to certify copies.
In some states, you might be able to just bring a copy of your document(s) to a notary along with the original and have the notary certify them upon comparing both and determining their authenticity. However, in other states you’ll be able to bring the original document(s) to the notary, have them make a copy and certify it.
Documents that can and can’t be copy certified
Documents that are commonly certified include passports, driver’s licenses, letters from the government, council tax bills, court documents, and other documents that are not publicly recorded.
Some documents cannot be certified, and this typically applies to vital records. Most states won’t accept a notary copy certification of birth, marriage, divorce or death certificates, in other words – vital records. These vital records must be ordered from the agency which granted the original document.
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IMPORTANT COVID-19 UPDATE: The U.S. Department of State turnaround time for processing federal apostille is currently 2-4 weeks and expedited service has not resumedXXXXXXX is strategically located within minutes of the U.S. Department of state's office. We drop documents off daily for authentication to expedite the process for the fastest available turnaround time. While some documents can be obtained within 4 business days, most require the 2-4 week turnaround time. If you need your FBI Background check or federal document apostille on an emergency basis please contact 913-232-1377 for more information
