U.S. citizens abroad
U.S. documents for use abroad: notary and apostille
This is the reverse problem: a document made in the United States that has to be accepted by an office in another country. Often it needs a notary and then an apostille or another form of authentication.
Matthew Coleman, NJ Notary Public and NNA Certified Loan Signing Agent. Cranford, NJ. Fee confirmed before your session. Card charged only after it is complete. We aim to confirm within 15 minutes, 7am to 9pm.
When this comes up
Examples include documents for a foreign marriage, residency, school, employment or property matter. The foreign office decides what it will accept.
Ask the receiving party first
The most common reason a notarized document is rejected is that nobody checked what the other side would accept. Before you book, find out:
- Which country will receive it, and is that country a party to the Apostille Convention? The State Department explains the difference between an apostille and embassy legalization.
- Does the foreign office want an apostille, a legalization, or a translation as well?
- Who issues the apostille for this document? It depends on whether the document is a state record, a notarized private document or a federal record. The State Department page covers this.
- Does the foreign office accept a remotely notarized document? Some do not, so ask in writing.
- Do they need originals or will copies do?
How it works
- Ask the receiving party. Find out in writing whether it accepts a remote notarization and what kind of notarial act it needs.
- Send us the document. We check that it fits New Jersey's rules for a signer outside the United States. Tell us where you will be.
- Book a video session. Bring an unexpired government photo ID, a device with a camera and microphone, and a steady connection. Check the clock in both places.
- Sign on camera. We verify your identity, you sign when told to, and the notary completes the notarization.
- Send it on. You receive the notarized document to deliver or upload as the receiving party requires.
When a New Jersey notary can act
- The notary must be physically in New Jersey. You can be anywhere.
- The document must relate to a U.S. matter: it is filed with or before a U.S. court, public official or entity under U.S. jurisdiction, or it involves U.S. property or a transaction substantially connected with the United States.
- The act must not be prohibited where you are.
- The receiving party decides whether it accepts the result.
Mistakes that get paperwork rejected
- Starting the notarization before learning what the foreign office needs.
- Assuming every country accepts an apostille. Some do not take part in the convention.
- Skipping translation requirements.
- Assuming a notary can issue the apostille. The state or federal authority does that.
- Forgetting that apostilles may have their own processing times and fees.
Questions
What is an apostille?
A certificate attached to a public document so that countries in the Apostille Convention accept it. For a notarized private document, it usually confirms the notary's authority.
Can you issue an apostille?
No. A government authority issues it. We can handle the notarization and point you to the right office. See our apostille page.
Does my country accept an apostille?
Check the country's party status with the State Department or the foreign office that will receive the document.
MCC Solutions is not a law firm and a notary cannot give legal advice, choose the type of notarization for you, or tell you what a document means. Ask the office or person who will receive the document what it needs, and ask a lawyer about the content.