When a document exists in one country, it will not necessarily be considered valid in another country unless the document is certified by an apostille. However, there are several myths about hiring an apostille that you should be aware of.

A Document Must Be Legalized in the Right Location

A document cannot be legalized outside of its country of origin. Therefore, you must find an apostille in the country in which you need the document to be certified. A photocopy is also not valid, and the apostille must have a certified copy. This is because all seals and signatures must be originals and not photocopies. 

Depending on the jurisdiction, you may be able to have an electronic copy of a document verified by an apostille. However, this is not an option in all jurisdictions.

A Read Seal Doesn't Mean It's Legalized

You might notice a red seal or sticker on the document and assume that this is an indication that the document has been legalized. However, this is not automatically the case because the seal is usually added by a notary and not an apostille.

The Right Authority Must Certify the Document

Every document must be notarized in front of a notary public. There is a specific authority that must certify the document. For example, a document in the United States that is certified by a county must be certified by the clerk of court.

You may also need to have the document certified by the secretary of state after it is certified by the clerk of court. Also, dates must exist that verify that the clerk of court had certified it prior to the secretary of state for the document to be properly legalized.

You May Need a Translator

If the document is in a foreign language, it will need to be translated by a certified translator. It will then need to be notarized to demonstrate that it is a true translation. 

Apostille Services are Often Needed When Obtaining an International Job

A common example of a situation where you might need an apostille service is if you will be applying for a job overseas. The employer might want a record of your educational achievements and other qualifications, such as a high school diploma. They might want a criminal background check conducted by an organization such as the FBI.

If you must be medically fit to be able to perform the job, they might want you to have a medical test conducted. Regardless of the documents, you will need to have certified, an online apostille service might be able to help.

Keep these tips in mind when looking for an online apostille service.