--- title: "What Is an Apostille? Meaning & Example | MCC Solutions" description: "A certificate that authenticates a public document for use in another country that belongs to the Hague Apostille Convention. With a worked example." url: "https://mcc-solutionsnj.com/notary/glossary/apostille" --- Notary glossary # What is an apostille? A certificate that authenticates a public document for use in another country that belongs to the Hague Apostille Convention. By [Matthew Coleman](/about), MCC Solutions ✓ New Jersey commissioned notary, no. 50244803, insured for errors and omissions. [See the credentials](/about/credentials) ## In plain English It is issued by a designated government office, not by the notary. The office confirms the signature and seal on the underlying document. Need it done for you? [Our New Jersey apostille service](/notary/apostille-services), or [the online notary and apostille package](/notary/packages/online-notary-apostille-package). Countries outside the Convention may require a longer legalization process. ## Why it matters A foreign university, court or employer may refuse a document that lacks an apostille, and getting one can take time. People often discover too late that a notarized copy is not the same thing, which can delay a visa, marriage abroad or job start. Some documents must be notarized first before the state office can issue an apostille, so the order of steps matters. ## Worked example A New Jersey birth certificate copy is apostilled for use in a member country; the notary is not involved unless the document needs notarizing first. ## What to do - Confirm with the foreign recipient that the destination country accepts apostilles. - Ask the issuing state office which documents it will apostille and in what form. - Get the document notarized first if it is a privately signed document that needs a notary. - Submit to the designated state office, which in New Jersey is a state government office, not a notary. - Ask the recipient whether a translation is also needed. ## Common mistakes - Asking a notary to issue an apostille wastes time because only the designated government office can do so. - Sending a photocopy of a vital record when the office needs a properly issued copy can lead to rejection. - Submitting to the wrong state can fail because the apostille generally comes from the state where the document was issued or notarized. ## Not the same as: Legalization An apostille is a single certificate for countries in the Hague Convention, while legalization is a longer chain of authentications for countries outside it. [See Legalization](/notary/glossary/legalization). ## Go deeper - [How to Get an Apostille in NJ: Birth Certificates, POAs & Steps](/notary/guides/how-to-get-an-apostille-in-new-jersey): How to get an apostille in NJ: who issues the apostille seal, birth, death and marriage certificates, notarized documents, how to apply online, timing, and when you need embassy legalization. - [Hague Apostille Countries vs Non-Hague Countries](/notary/guides/hague-apostille-countries-vs-non-hague-countries): How to tell whether a country accepts apostilles or requires full legalization, why it changes the steps and cost, and how to check a destination's current status. - [Which Documents Can Be Apostilled? Types and Examples](/notary/guides/which-documents-can-be-apostilled): A practical list of document types that can receive an apostille, from vital records to notarized affidavits, plus examples often rejected. ## Related terms - [Blank spaces in a document](/notary/glossary/blank-spaces): Unfilled lines or fields in a document presented for notarization. - [Capacity](/notary/glossary/capacity): A signer's ability to understand what they are signing and its effect. - [Affidavit](/notary/glossary/affidavit): A written statement of facts that the signer swears or affirms is true, usually notarized with a jurat. ## Common questions **What is an apostille?** A certificate that authenticates a public document for use in another country that belongs to the Hague Apostille Convention. **Can you give an example of apostille?** A New Jersey birth certificate copy is apostilled for use in a member country; the notary is not involved unless the document needs notarizing first. **Can a notary speed up getting an apostille?** A notary can notarize a document that needs it, but the apostille itself comes from a government office. Processing times depend on that office. **Do I need an apostille for use in another US state?** Generally no. Apostilles are for use in foreign countries. Ask the receiving office what it needs. General information, not legal advice. Rules vary by state and change; check with your state's commissioning office. Need help? [### Mobile notary Mobile signings in New Jersey, remote online notarization and apostille help. Notary services →](/notary/) [Full glossary](/notary/glossary) Do it yourself ### Notary Launch Bundle You have the commission. These three get you to paid work: loan signings, local marketing and remote notarization. [See what's inside ($49)](/toolkits/notary-launch-bundle)14-day full refund ## Need a document notarized? Book a notary. [Book a notary](/notary/#order)[Call (908) 444-6373](tel:+19084446373)