Authentications

Hague Convention of 5 October 1961

Purpose: Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents

Apostille Certificates

The Hague Convention of October 5, 1961 replaced the time consuming and often costly processes of a full legalization. It only affects those countries that have agreed to standard “Hague Convention” requirements and are considered “member states.”

The Convention applies to public documents which are certified or notarized by an authority or official in North Carolina. Examples of public documents for which Apostilles are issued include: birth, marriage and death certificates; extracts from commercial registrars and other registers; court rulings; notarial acts; academic diplomas issued by public institutions, etc.

The Convention does not apply to documents executed by diplomatic or consular agents nor to administrative documents dealing directly with commercial or customs operations (e.g., certificates of origin or import or export licenses). ((Hague Convention).)

Once an Apostille is obtained, the document may be delivered directly to the country of intended use and bypass further certification from the US Department of State.

Process for Obtaining Apostille

Document Needs to be in English

Obtain a certified or notarized English translation of the document if the document is in a language other than English.

Notarization of Document

1.Appear before a North Carolina Notary Public to sign the document;

2.Obtain a certified copy which is notarized by the issuing entity (i.e., diploma, etc.);

3.If necessary, you may use a "True Copy" affidavit for North Carolina documents and obtain a notary acknowledgment of your signature;

4.Documents from the following entities will not need to be notarized:
• Register of Deeds
• Clerk of Superior Courts
• North Carolina Department of Agriculture
• North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
• North Carolina Vital Records
• North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (Raleigh, NC office ONLY)