Apostille Services: What You Need to Notarize First
Need an apostille for a document headed overseas? Here's how the apostille process works and why notarization is the step that comes before it.
What Is an Apostille?
An apostille is a form of document authentication recognized by countries that
belong to the Hague Apostille Convention. If you're sending a notarized document
abroad — a power of attorney, a birth certificate copy, a business contract, a
diploma — the receiving country often won't accept it until it carries an
apostille from the state where it was notarized.
An apostille doesn't replace notarization — it confirms that the notarization
itself is legitimate. That means getting your apostille almost always starts
with finding a notary.
The Apostille Process, Step by Step
- Notarize the document. A commissioned notary public signs and seals the document, confirming your identity and signature.
- Submit for the apostille. The notarized document goes to the Secretary of State's office in the state where the notary is commissioned — in our case, New York.
- Receive the apostille certificate. The state attaches or issues a certificate confirming the notary's commission is valid.
Why Notarization Comes First
Secretary of State offices only issue an apostille for a notary whose commission
they can verify — so the quality and accuracy of that first notarization matters.
A sloppy or incorrectly completed notarial certificate is one of the most common
reasons apostille requests get bounced back.
Getting Notarized Before Your Apostille Application
NY Notary commissions documents online or in person, with New York State notaries
who know exactly what a clean apostille-ready notarization looks like — correct
venue language, proper notarial certificate wording, and a legible seal. We can't
file the apostille application for you, but we make sure the notarization behind
it holds up.
Frequently asked questions
Does NY Notary issue the apostille itself?
No — the apostille certificate is issued by the Secretary of State's office, not by a notary. We handle the notarization step that your apostille application requires.
Can any notarized document get an apostille?
Only documents notarized by a notary commissioned in the state issuing the apostille, and only for countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. Non-member countries require a different authentication process.
How long does an apostille take after notarization?
Notarization through NY Notary is typically done the same day. The apostille itself is processed separately by the state and timing varies — check your state's Secretary of State office for current turnaround.