Apostilles are documents that provide official confirmation of the authenticity of a signature, seal or stamp. They are only issued by authorized governmental bodies, and they are valid for a limited period of time.
The purpose of an apostille is to ensure that documents issued in one country can be accepted in another country without further authentication. It also serves as a way for foreign officials to verify that a document was issued by a government official from another country, rather than being a fake document created by someone else.
In the United States, the Department of State issues apostilles on documents issued by U.S. agencies and officials. The Department of State also provides information about what types of documents require an apostille, how to apply for them and where they should be sent.
Apostilles are not required for all types of documents issued by U.S.-based organizations; however, many countries require them in order to accept any foreign-issued documents as valid legal documents within their own borders (for example, when applying for jobs abroad or studying abroad).
The process of applying for an apostille is fairly straightforward and can be completed by anyone over the age of 18. However, if you are applying for a certified copy of a birth certificate or other vital records, you should contact your local registrar’s office directly to find out if they will issue an apostille on your document.
If you are applying for an apostille in the U.S., the process varies by state. You can find out how to apply for an apostille on the website of your local secretary of state office or consulate.
How It Works in Austin, Texas?
The Texas Secretary of State’s Office has a website where you can find out how to apply for an apostille. You will need to fill out a form and submit it along with a certified copy of the document that you want certified and two photos of yourself (one photo must be 2 inches square). Or, you can look for Austin couriers companies that can help you with this process. It’s important to note that the state of Texas does not provide apostilles for documents issued by other states, so if you want an apostille for a document from another state, you’ll need to contact that state directly.
