Italian Citizenship Diary: Entry #2 APOSTILLE and NOTARIZATION

What is an APOSTILLE:

An apostille is a certificate that is used to authenticate the validity of a public document for use in a foreign country. It is recognized by all countries that are party to The Hague Apostille Convention.

When a document needs to be used in a foreign country, it often needs to be verified or authenticated to ensure its legitimacy. This process can involve multiple levels of certification and can be time-consuming and cumbersome. The apostille streamlines this process by providing a standardized certificate that verifies the authenticity of the document, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, educational diplomas, and various legal documents. 

An apostille is typically attached to the document itself or to a separate sheet of paper and is issued by a competent authority designated by the country in which the document was issued. The apostille certifies the origin of the document, the identity of the signatory, and the capacity in which the signatory has acted. It does not validate the content of the document; rather, it confirms that the document is an official and genuine one 

How/Where to obtain an Apostille:

1. Obtain a certified copy: You can obtain a certified copy from a Vital Records Office. The copy is often required to ensure that the original document is not tampered with during the process.
2. Complete the application: obtain the application from the issuing authority (Secretary of State) or their website.
3. Pay the fees: there is usually a fee associated. You can pay fees online, over the phone, or send in a check with your application.
4. Submit the application: once you have the original document/certified copy, completed the application, and paid the necessary fees. You may submit the application by sending it in through the mail, online, or in person. Depending on the requirements.
5. Wait for processing

NOTARIZATION:

A notarization is the process of having a document officially certified by a notary public. A notary public as a person authorized by the government to witness the signing of important documents. Copies of documents can also be notarized at local UPS stores or Local Notary Public’s. If in need of a notarization, you can google a notary service near you.

PLEASE NOTE: Original documents are usually already certified, so there is no need for a notarization. Copies of the documents you obtain from the Vital Records Office might not need notarization either, as they can be CERTIFIED COPIES. However, regardless of certification status, certified copies may need to be notarized as well. Please make sure you check and verify the requirements and procedures for obtaining your Apostille on the Secretary of State Office website. All the requirements and procedures can be found there. If you have a question regarding your document’s requirements and/or procedures call their office. There are departments within each office dedicated to Apostille / Foreign Record Certification.