Frequently Asked Questions: Notary & Apostille Services
Find answers to common questions about notary services, including mobile notary services, the apostille process, and embassy legalization for Maryland, Washington DC, and Virginia. Topics covered include documents eligible for notarization or apostille, service areas, pricing, and authentication processes.
For questions not addressed in the frequently asked questions about notary services, apostille process, or embassy legalization, we are available to help. Contact Maryland, DC, Virginia Mobile Notary & Apostille at 240-764-4867 to schedule a mobile notary service in Maryland, Washington DC, or Virginia. We are ready to provide detailed information about mobile notary, apostille, or document authentication services and assist with specific needs in the tri-state area.
What does authentication mean?
When the Secretary of State authenticates ‘a document’, it is only validating that the notary public or department head is in fact a legitimate notary. The Secretary of State is not authenticating, confirming or authenticating the document itself. For example, they do not determine the status or legitimacy of a school, college, university, financial institution or any other record; the country to which the document is presented retains the right to accept or deny the actual information
What is the difference between an Apostille and a Foreign Certificate?
An Apostille is a type of authentication; it is the type used for those countries that are a part of the Hague Convention. Authentications issued for other countries are issued Foreign Certificates. Some authentications for any country may be “Department Head” certificates if they are those signed by a notary public.
What type of documents will Secretary of State authenticate?
The Secretary of State authenticates documents notarized by a notary or those certified by a Department Head (ex: Birth certificates, DC Public School Diplomas, MPD [DC] FL-20 clearances). The Secretary of State may authenticate copies of some foreign documents such as birth or marriage certificates and copies of a passport if they have been notarized by a notary.
Are there any documents that The Secretary of State cannot authenticate?
Yes. The Secretary of State cannot authenticate most federal documents (examples, FBI fingerprints and original passports) or any that have not been notarized by a notary public
Once my document is authenticated, are there any other steps I need to take?
If your country is a part of The Hague Convention and we have put an Apostille on it then the process is completed. If the country is not part of the Hague Convention, you will need to send the document to the US Authentications Office. Find more information on the US Authentications Office website
Do I have to be present to have a document authenticated?
No. Since The Secretary of State is only authenticating that the notary public is valid, not authenticating the actual document anyone may bring the document to the office or the document may be mailed to the office along with the proper amount of money, a pre-paid self-addressed return envelope, and the form on the website telling us the country for which the document is needed and your contact information.
What does authentication mean?
When the Secretary of State authenticates ‘a document’, it is only validating that the notary public or department head is in fact a legitimate notary. The Secretary of State is not authenticating, confirming or authenticating the document itself. For example, they do not determine the status or legitimacy of a school, college, university, financial institution or any other record; the country to which the document is presented retains the right to accept or deny the actual information
What is the difference between an Apostille and a Foreign Certificate?
An Apostille is a type of authentication; it is the type used for those countries that are a part of the Hague Convention. Authentications issued for other countries are issued Foreign Certificates. Some authentications for any country may be “Department Head” certificates if they are those signed by a notary public.
What type of documents will Secretary of State authenticate?
The Secretary of State authenticates documents notarized by a notary or those certified by a Department Head (ex: Birth certificates, DC Public School Diplomas, MPD [DC] FL-20 clearances). The Secretary of State may authenticate copies of some foreign documents such as birth or marriage certificates and copies of a passport if they have been notarized by a notary.
Are there any documents that The Secretary of State cannot authenticate?
Yes. The Secretary of State cannot authenticate most federal documents (examples, FBI fingerprints and original passports) or any that have not been notarized by a notary public
Once my document is authenticated, are there any other steps I need to take?
If your country is a part of The Hague Convention and we have put an Apostille on it then the process is completed. If the country is not part of the Hague Convention, you will need to send the document to the US Authentications Office. Find more information on the US Authentications Office website
Do I have to be present to have a document authenticated?
No. Since The Secretary of State is only authenticating that the notary public is valid, not authenticating the actual document anyone may bring the document to the office or the document may be mailed to the office along with the proper amount of money, a pre-paid self-addressed return envelope, and the form on the website telling us the country for which the document is needed and your contact information.
