Apostille vs. Notarization
Understand the difference before sending your documents.
What is a Notarization?
Notarization is the process where a licensed notary public verifies the identity of a person signing a document and witnesses their signature. The notary confirms that the signer is who they claim to be, that they are signing willingly, and that they understand what they are signing. This process adds a layer of authenticity and helps prevent fraud in legal transactions. Notarization is primarily used for domestic purposes and provides legal validity within the United States.
What is an Apostille?
An apostille is an international certification that authenticates the origin of a public document, making it legally valid for use in foreign countries. It's issued by a government authority (typically the Secretary of State) and serves as proof that a document—whether it's notarized or an official government document—is authentic and legally binding. The apostille process was created by the 1961 Hague Convention to simplify the authentication of documents for international use, eliminating the need for lengthy embassy legalization procedures.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Here's how notarization and apostille services differ across key factors:
| Feature | Notarization | Apostille |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Verify signature/ID | Legalize for international use |
| Issued by | Notary Public | Secretary of State |
| Required for | Local legal docs | Use in Hague Convention country |
| Document types | Affidavits, POAs, etc. | Birth, marriage, diplomas, etc. |
| Processing time | Same day | 7-10 business days |
| Cost | $5-15 per document | $75-150 per document |
Purpose
Notarization
Verify signature/ID
Apostille
Legalize for international use
Issued by
Notarization
Notary Public
Apostille
Secretary of State
Required for
Notarization
Local legal docs
Apostille
Use in Hague Convention country
Document types
Notarization
Affidavits, POAs, etc.
Apostille
Birth, marriage, diplomas, etc.
Processing time
Notarization
Same day
Apostille
7-10 business days
Cost
Notarization
$5-15 per document
Apostille
$75-150 per document
Key Takeaways
Notarization comes first
Many documents need to be notarized before they can receive an apostille, especially private documents and copies.
Different purposes
Notarization is for domestic legal validity, while apostille is specifically for international recognition.
Government documents may skip notarization
Official documents like birth certificates can often go directly to apostille without notarization.
Check your destination country
Only Hague Convention countries accept apostilles. Non-member countries require embassy legalization.