Apostille is a French term that refers to official certification by a notary public. An apostille is a legal document, usually attached to a passport or other document, certifying that a signature has been authenticated. When used in connection with passports, it signifies that the signatory has reviewed the contents of the passport, and agrees that they are true and accurate copies of the original documents. In some countries, an apostille may be required before a document can be validly executed.
Apostilles are not just for legal documents! They can be used for anything that requires a signature, like birth certificates, marriage licenses, divorce decrees, etc. These documents contain the person’s name, date, and location where they were signed. Without apostilles, these documents cannot be officially recognized.
Apostilles are necessary for various reasons:
- If you want to work in certain countries, you need to have your passport apostilled if you want to legally travel into that country.
- If you want a document from the government (like a driver’s license) to be official, then you need to get it apostilled.
- If you plan to use any kind of business contract, you will need to have it apostilled before you sign it.
- If you are moving abroad, you will need to get your visa apostilled before you leave the country.
Getting a document apostilled usually is not easy. If there is an error, the apostille will not get issued and everything should be submitted again. Each state has its own regulations when it comes to apostilles. If you need an apostille in Dallas, Texas, it is best to consult with apostille service Dallas before you do anything. They will explain what is needed in Dallas for an apostille.