Your Cookies are Disabled! NationalNotary.org sets cookies on your computer to help improve performance and provide a more engaging user experience. By using this site, you accept the terms of our cookie policy. Learn more.

Who Can Issue An Apostille?

NNA Hotline Tip logo

Can I issue an “apostille” for a document? N.M., San Francisco, CA

No, you may not. Under The Hague Apostille Convention of 1961, a treaty of 100 nations including the United States, apostilles may be issued only by a competent specialist authorized to issue an apostille, such as the Secretary of State’s office. Apostilles are certificates used to verify notarial acts and other important records sent to another country. These documents certify the authenticity of the signature of the official who signed the document, the capacity in which that official acted, and (when appropriate) the identity of the person who was issued the seal or stamp. Under the Hague treaty, Notaries are not authorized to certify their own signatures and seals.

Hotline answers are based on the laws in the state where the question originated and may not reflect the laws of other states. If in doubt, always refer to your own state statutes. – The Editors

Confronted with a tricky notarization? Unsure how to proceed? NNA members have unlimited access to our expertly trained NNA Hotline counselors to help you with all of your notarial questions. Call 888-876-0827, Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. PST; Saturday, 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST.

View All: Hotline Tips

27 Comments

Add your comment

Jessica

27 Feb 2017

Can a notary notarize 70 pages worth of bank documents from India and the signer lives in Florida. Her mom passed away and the signer is requesting the funds?

National Notary Association

28 Feb 2017

Hello Jessica. In order to answer your question, can you please tell us what state the Notary is commissioned in?

Nimesh Patel

26 Mar 2019

I need to get my birth certificate apostilled and attested by the Indian Consulate for my OCI application. I was born in the United Kingdom but I live in Orlando, Florida. How can I get this done?

National Notary Association

26 Mar 2019

Hello. We would suggest contacting either a United Kingdom consulate or an Indian consulate in your area and requesting instructions from them.

Mrs Jean Wood

23 Apr 2019

Do I need apostille seal added to British death certificate. I need this to redigester my husbands death in Turkey & do also need this on his will .? His will has no mention of the little apartment in Turkey. Please help, thank you.

National Notary Association

23 Apr 2019

Hello. Our condolences on your loss. We apologize, but we would not be the right organization for you to contact. We suggest contacting the closest British or Turkish consulate or embassy to request instructions from them regarding any apostille requirements.

Alistair Shearer

04 Jul 2019

I have Indian document showing my share holding in a company there. The authorities are asking for notary and apostille signatures. I live in UK; can my solicitor here do this for me?

National Notary Association

22 Jul 2019

Hello. We are sorry, but we cannot answer legal questions. You would need to contact your solicitor to ask if this can be done.

Aniket

19 Aug 2019

Who has the authority in the USA to appostille irish passport

National Notary Association

20 Aug 2019

Hello. You may wish to contact your closest Irish embassy or consulate to ask them for assistance.

MICHAEL EDERY

08 Sep 2019

Hello I am applying for Spanish citizenship and have been requested to apostille my passport, my birth certificate, and another document verifying my ancestral lineage. I am born in the USA. Where can I get this done? Thanks!!

National Notary Association

09 Sep 2019

Hello. To help us answer your question, can you tell us what state you are located in?

Melissa Robles

08 Oct 2019

I want to study at a Mexican institution for a Master's Degree. I have my undergrad studies at a US University. They are asking me to apostille and translate my transcript and diploma, can a Texas Notary do that?

National Notary Association

08 Oct 2019

Hello. No, please see the following articles for more information: https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2015/07/notary-basics-understanding-apostilles https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2019/09/3-things-notaries-should-know-about-translating-documents

christine

04 Dec 2019

hi, am here in abroad and i need my college documents to be apostile, can a member of my family do it in behalf of me and what should i provide or my family member? your response is highly appreciated, thank you and godbless.

National Notary Association

06 Dec 2019

Hello.An apostille is issued by a government agency to verify the seal and signature of a Notary is valid. Family members cannot issue apostilles. However, if your family member is in possession of the notarized document that needs authentication, they could bring it to the appropriate government office to request an apostille. Please bear in mind that a document cannot have an apostille issued if the document is not notarized.

Itzel

21 Feb 2020

I have a client who wishes to notarize a document where it states that all siblings agree to sell a real estate property in Mexico. The document will be in Spanish, I am fluent in Spanish. Now, she said that half of the siblings live in California and the other half in Mexico. How would I go about this notarization? Would this also require an Apostille?

National Notary Association

24 Feb 2020

Hello. You would only be able to notarize the signature of any individuals who personally appeared before you. You would not be able to notarize for any signers that were unable to physically appear in your presence for the notarization. As the Notary, you cannot make the determination whether the document requires an apostille-it is the signer's responsibility to determine if an apostille is required or not for the document.

Henry Killingsworth

26 Feb 2020

I appreciate you helping me to understand that an apostille is used to verify important documents and notaries that are sent to other countries. I would imagine that this would be used with divorce and immigration documents. It would be interesting to learn more about how an apostille is created.

Renee Spencer

28 Aug 2021

Hi, I need some items apostilled in order to acquire dual citizenship. I live in Nebraska and wonder if there is some place within my state that I can go to have that done. I am originally from Illinois and will have to go there to obtain a copy of my birth certificate and marriage license. So if there is no place in my current state of residence, might there be a place in Illinois (preferably in Lake or Cook County) that I can have this done? Thanks.

National Notary Association

01 Sep 2021

Hello. In Nebraska, authenticating certificates for acts by Notaries, including apostilles, are issued only by the Nebraska Secretary of State’s office. The website is: https://sos.nebraska.gov/business-services/apostilles-and-authentications

Juliana Chasse

28 Oct 2021

I'm a senior citizen and disabled, I have dual citizenship. I have money in a bank in the Philippines. Due to my condition and the pandemic I sent special power of attorney notarized and with an apostille issued by the State of Texas. The bank in the Philippines rejected it and referred me to Their remittance center in Houston.The bank eventually email me forms for me to submit in person for "authorization" to their office in Houston. Apostilles and notarizations aren't good enough for them.

Brian

12 Feb 2022

I need apostile my birth certificate from Michigan state . I will use to register my son in Brazil embassy.

Adrian Macias

22 Dec 2022

Hello, I am looking to get my documents apostille (i.e., birth certificate and passport). I was wondering if I needed to go to a Colombian consulate or if this is something that can be done at the Secretary of State. My Mom passed away and this is to settle some stuff there.

National Notary Association

22 Dec 2022

Hello. You would need to contact the agency in your state that issues apostilles. If you can tell us what state you are located in, we can provide you with more information.

Sonia

03 Jan 2023

My mother is elderly and has a very difficult time walking. She is a US citizen. Our father passed away and we are in the final stages of settling the estate. He is Colombian citizen and the estate is in Colombia. They are requiring her fingerprint and an apostille. I can obtain the apostille at the consulate on my own. We are at a loss as to what to do about the fingerprint since she lives far from the nearest consulate and I am very worried about the toll on her health from the trip. What can someone do in these situations?

National Notary Association

10 Jan 2023

Hello. We would suggest you contact the consulate, explain the situation and ask if there is another acceptable option to having her travel to the consulate in person.

Leave a Comment

Required *

All comments are reviewed and if approved, will display.

Close