If you’re planning to use a U.S. document in another country, chances are you’ve been told you need it notarized and apostilled. These two legal steps are often misunderstood—but they are essential for your document to be accepted abroad.

At Rais Apostille, we specialize in Apostille Notary services. That means we handle both the notarization of your documents and the apostille certification, streamlining the process and ensuring your paperwork is 100% valid for international use.

This guide will help you understand the differences, how the two work together, and how Rais Apostille makes the process fast and simple.

What Is a Notarization?

Notarization is the process of having a document certified by a licensed notary public. The notary verifies your identity, ensures that you are signing voluntarily, and applies a stamp or seal confirming the action.

It is used to prevent fraud and ensure the legal validity of a document in the U.S.

Common documents that require notarization:

• Power of attorney

• Affidavits

• Consent letters for minors traveling abroad

• Academic records

• Business agreements

• Bank letters or financial declarations

Notarization is usually the first step before a document can be apostilled.

What Is an Apostille?

An apostille is an international certificate issued by a Secretary of State or the U.S. Department of State. It authenticates the signature and authority of the notary (or government official) on a document, making it valid for legal use in other countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention.

So, while notarization confirms your identity and intent, the apostille confirms the legitimacy of the notarization for foreign governments and institutions.

When Do You Need Both a Notary and an Apostille?

You need both when:

• The document is not a public record (like a birth certificate or court judgment)

• You are submitting a personal or legal document to a foreign country

• The document is not issued by a government office, but you are the author (e.g., personal affidavit)

Real-life examples:

• You write and sign a power of attorney to authorize someone abroad—this must be notarized, then apostilled.

• You prepare a single-status affidavit for marriage overseas—it needs notarization before apostille.

• You create a business authorization letter for a foreign partner—same process.

If a document is a certified government record, such as a birth or marriage certificate, it typically does not require notarization before apostille.

Apostille Notary: Step-by-Step Process with Rais Apostille

We offer a streamlined Apostille Notary service that combines both required steps into one package:

Step 1: Document Review

We review your document and determine whether notarization is required before obtaining the apostille. If needed, we advise on formatting and provide templates.

Step 2: Notarization

We arrange notarization through one of our:

• In-office notaries

• Remote online notaries (where permitted by state law)

• Mobile notaries who visit your home or office

The notary verifies your identity, witnesses the signature, and applies the official notary stamp.

Step 3: Apostille Certification

After notarization, we submit your document to the appropriate Secretary of State or U.S. Department of State to obtain the apostille.

Step 4: Return Delivery

Once the apostille is attached, we send the finalized document back to you via secure, trackable courier—ready for international submission.

Which Documents Require Notarization Before Apostille?

Not all documents require notarization. However, if your document is privately created and not issued by a state or federal agency, notarization is generally required.

Common document types needing both:

• Power of attorney

• Permission letters

• Personal affidavits

• Sworn statements

• Contracts or agreements

• Company authorization letters

• Consent to travel forms

Our team will advise you based on your document and the destination country.

Notarization Laws Vary by State

Each U.S. state regulates notary rules differently. For example:

• Some states allow online notarization, while others require in-person notarization

• Some states require specific notarial wording or forms

• Some states charge fixed notary fees, others allow additional charges

At Rais Apostille, we manage these differences and ensure your notarized document is 100% compliant before we proceed with apostille certification.

Apostille for Hague Convention Countries

Documents that are notarized and apostilled in the U.S. are valid in Hague Apostille Convention countries, including:

• France

• Germany

• Spain

• India

• Mexico

• Colombia

• Italy

• Netherlands

• Portugal

• South Korea

• Australia

If your destination is not part of the Hague Convention (e.g., China, UAE, Egypt), you will need authentication and embassy legalization instead. Rais Apostille handles both processes.

Apostille Notary + Translation

If your document is being submitted to a non-English-speaking country, a certified translation may be required. Rais Apostille offers:

• Certified translations in 100+ languages

• Notarized translations if required

• Combined translation + apostille service

• Fast turnaround (1–3 business days)

This ensures your documents are legally accepted and linguistically understood in the country of submission.

Why Choose Rais Apostille for Apostille Notary Services?

✅ One-Stop Solution

We handle everything—notarization, apostille, translation, and delivery—so you don’t have to coordinate between multiple service providers.

✅ Fast Turnaround

We offer same-day, 24-hour, and standard processing, depending on the issuing state and your deadline.

✅ Nationwide Network

We work with notaries and Secretary of State offices in all 50 states, and we also process federal apostilles via the U.S. Department of State.

✅ Personal and Business Support

Whether you’re an individual, family, law firm, or business, our services are tailored to your needs.

✅ Transparent Pricing

No hidden fees. We provide clear, flat-rate quotes for apostille notary services, including optional rush and international delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What’s the difference between a notary and an apostille?

A notary verifies your signature and identity. An apostille verifies that the notary’s signature and seal are legitimate for international recognition.

2. Can any notary notarize a document for apostille?

Not all notaries are familiar with apostille requirements. We work only with licensed, experienced notaries who follow state-specific rules to avoid rejection during apostille processing.

3. Can you notarize and apostille documents the same day?

Yes, for select states we offer same-day notarization and apostille services. Contact us for current availability based on your location.

4. Can you notarize my document remotely?

Yes, in states that allow Remote Online Notarization (RON), we can notarize your document via video call. It’s legal, secure, and fast.

5. Do you offer Apostille Notary services outside the U.S.?

If your documents were issued in the U.S., we can notarize (where permitted), apostille, and ship them internationally. We serve clients worldwide.

Get Started with Apostille Notary Services Today

Whether you’re finalizing international legal paperwork, preparing for a foreign business venture, or submitting documents for a visa or marriage abroad, Rais Apostille makes the apostille notary process simple, fast, and reliable.

Our experts guide you every step of the way—ensuring your documents are notarized correctly, apostilled legally, and delivered securely.