When a business decides to expand globally, it is important to be aware of the different requirements that each country may have for legal documents. One of the many areas that differ is document certification, which includes apostilles and authentications. If you aren’t familiar with this process, it can be a daunting task to ensure that all of the proper steps have been taken for your business documents to be accepted by a foreign jurisdiction.

In general, any public document that is signed by a notary or a county clerk in the State of Georgia is considered to be a “public document.” However, for these documents to be able to be used abroad, it may be necessary to authenticate them. This is often referred to as an apostille or certificate of authentication.

Apostille for Legal Documents: A Step-by-Step Guide for Global Validity

An apostille for legal documents is an internationally recognized form of authentication that simplifies the process of having a document certified for use in a foreign country. It is a product of the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents (1961). An apostille looks similar to an official certificate, but it can be placed directly on a document instead of being attached to a separate page.

GSCCCA offers both in-person and mail-in authentication services. To obtain an apostille, please submit the document along with a cover letter and a self-addressed return airbill. GSCCCA only accepts credit card payments for the apostille service, eliminating the need to write company checks or provide couriers with cash.