Getting the Apostille You Need for Adoption

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Adopting a child is one of the most beautiful and rewarding experiences you can go through. With all of the paperwork and red tape, however, it can also be one of the most stressful and overwhelming. This is especially true if you are planning on adopting a child from a foreign country. In this situation, you need to not only fill out all of the necessary paperwork and get them approved within this country, but also get those papers legalized for the country of origin of your future child.

Apostille and legalization  can seem incredibly confusing and even discouraging, but we are here to tell you that it is not only possible to get this paperwork handled within the timeframe the agency gives you, but that we are here to make sure it is done as smoothly and quickly as possible. As soon as you start thinking about adopting a child from a foreign country you should determine the documents which need to be presented and if that country is an Apostille country. Not all countries require or accept this form of legalization for documents. It is only countries that participated in the Hague Convention that use this form of legalization to verify the legitimacy of the documents and their preparation. No matter what country the documents need to be presented in, we will handle the certification for you.

As an Apostille service in Washington, D.C. makes the Apostille process simpler and faster so you can focus on other aspects of the adoption process. Some of the documents we can help you get and authenticate include:

  • Apostille background check
  • Birth certificate
  • Marriage certificate
  • Home study
  • Reference letters

With our help you do not need to take the time to not only get all of the paperwork and fill it out, but to go from agency to agency trying to find the appropriate Apostille. Instead, let us handle your Federal or State Department Apostille from start to finish, ensuring your documents are properly handled, get the Apostille stamp they need, and are returned to you well within the time frame necessary to keep your adoption moving forward.

If you are in the midst of adopting a child from a foreign country or are even considering this beautiful and rewarding way of growing your family, do not hesitate to call us 1-800-893-5807 to assist in the preparation of required documents. Let our knowledgeable and friendly staff help you determine if the country you are considering as the country of origin for your future child is part of the Hague Convention, thereby requiring Apostille to legitimize the documentation, or if you need other forms of legalization in order for them to accept them. We can walk you through the entire process so you can feel more confident heading into this experience and ready to take on each step.

Understanding Document Authentication in Your Situation

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Documentation is a reality of life and a critical part of many transactions and decisions. Within the United States it is relatively easy and straightforward to get the documents you need and ensure they are authentic. If you intend of using your personal, commercial, or legal documents in other countries, however, you have to go through additional steps to verify their legality and authenticity. Unfortunately, this process can get complex, confusing, and time-consuming, making it something you should definitely not leave until the last minute. If you plan on traveling to another country in the near future for business or academic purposes, will be getting married in another country, or are going to relocate to another country for the foreseeable future, it is essential you start getting your documents in place as soon as possible so you do not encounter problems that could cause your trip to be delayed.

One of the most important things to realize about the verification of documents is that not all situations are the same and the needs of each country are not the same. This means you need to carefully evaluate where you will be traveling to and why you are traveling so you know that you are getting the properly verification. For example, you need to know the difference between Department of State authentication, Embassy legalization, and Apostille certificates and when they are applicable so you know how to proceed.

To make the entire process easier, we offer document legalization services customized to your specific needs. Instead of you trying to figure out what type of verification you need, how to process the documents, and when to turn in your requests, you can trust our licensed and experienced professionals to handle every step of the process. You simply order your document authentication services and let us handle the rest. Because we understand the processes we are able to tell you whether you need an Apostille stamp or authentication based on your destination country and then how to put in these requests. We will guide you through every step of the process and handle most of it in an expedited manner without you having to do any of it so all you need to do is keep planning your trip.

Here are some of the situations in which you will need document authentication:

  • If you are relocating to another country for temporary or permanent residence
  • If you are seeking employment in another country or plan on starting a business in another country and need to show experience
  • If you plan on teaching English as a Second Language in a foreign school
  • If you need to verify your role as Power of Attorney while in another country
  • If you need to show a will or other document in order to settle the estate of a deceased loved one in another country
  • If you plan on going to school in another country and need to show your transcripts, diploma, or degree to transfer credits and gain admittance into the program
  • If you are planning on marrying in another country and need to show your birth certificate or the birth certificates of your children for visa and residence purposes.

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us to ask any questions so that we can clarify the entire process for you. We can help you understand the purpose of legalization of documents, guide you through determining which documents you may need, and tell you what documents you need to get from which departments and organizations so you can start the process. Let us make sure you are ready for your trip in plenty of time so you can just relax and handle the other aspects of planning.

Prepare for Your Trip to China with Document Attestation

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A trip to China is a dream for many people, but if your dream is about more than just making a quick visit, you may need to go through additional steps before you head out on your travels. Just like in the United States, if you intend on seeking employment, starting a business, getting married, purchasing real estate, or establishing residency in China, you need specific documents to verify your identity and other personal and professional details. This verification, however, is not as easy as taking the documents out of your personal files and bringing them along with you to China. In order for them to be recognized as authentic and legal in China, you must have your documents formally legalized. This process is referred to as attestation.

Legalization of documents for China is a process you complete before you embark on your travels. This attestation is the formal verification that all of the information contained within the documents is complete, accurate, and legal, and that the documents were properly obtained, drawn up, and authenticated in the United States. Essentially, this process demonstrates to China that the documents you present are completely genuine, legal, and appropriate for the specific actions you wish to complete in the other country.

Attestation of documents from USA starts with getting the proper documents from the appropriate departments or agencies. The process of attestation does not make documents legal, meaning you cannot bring photocopies or improperly drawn-up documents for attestation and have them “made legal” through the process. Instead, attestation confirms that the documents are legal according to the terms and standards set forth by the other country.

Once the appropriate documents have been obtained and are verified authentic and legal by the appropriate organizations, such as the State Department, they must be submitted to the embassy of the country of destination along with an attestation request. Using document attestation services from an experienced and licensed company takes the confusion and concern out of this process. While you may have a difficult time obtaining your documents, submitting them to the embassy, and obtaining the proper attestation within the time frame necessary to ensure your documents are ready before you are set to travel, our professional services simplify the entire experience for you.

Our authentication and legalization service ensures you have everything you need throughout the entire attestation process. From the moment you contact us about your situation until you are on the plane ready for the next chapter in your life, our professionals are here to make sure your questions are answered and your deadlines are kept. Whether you need attestation for a will, Power of Attorney, transcripts and degrees, birth and marriage certificates, or business documents, we can expedite your process and ensure you get your documents with plenty of time for your travels.

Contact us to find out more about our attestation services and get started on the process.

Apostille Service FAQs

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Whether you are relocating to another country, or traveling abroad for vacation, going on an official business trip, you will need a variety of documents to verify personal and professional details about yourself. While in the United States department-issued documents and notarized copies are automatically considered official, the same does not apply for when you present the documents outside of the country. In these situations you need to further verify the authenticity of the documents in order for them to be considered authentic and acceptable, which is where Apostille service in Washington DC comes in.

Use these frequently asked questions to help you better understand the purpose of Apostille, documents that require this form of authentication, and the countries where Apostille is accepted as a form of verification.

What is Apostille?
The word “Aspostille” comes from a French word that means “certification”. This term is used to mean the process by which documents are legalized for international use. This process came under use after the 1961 Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents. During this convention countries agreed to accept documents using the Apostille.

What is the purpose of an Apostille?
An Apostille Certificate is a seal of authenticity that verifies the document was properly drawn up and obtained. This legalization makes it so that the documents will automatically be accepted in any of the other countries included in the agreement without the need for you to go through other processes to verify your documents. The purpose of the Apostille is to demonstrate authenticity in one simple way in order to make legal and business transactions in foreign countries smoother and easier.

When is an Apostille needed?
Apostille certificates are not needed in all situations. Generally this form of legalization is only needed in circumstances involving business dealings, real estate transactions, settling of the estate of a deceased person, or academic purposes. Documents requiring this type of legalization are often the same types of documents that require notarization in the United States.

What types of documents require an Apostille?
The documents requiring an Apostille vary depending on the country and the situation, but some of the most common documents include birth certificates, marriage certificates, Powers of Attorney, death certificates, passports, transcripts, and wills.

Do all countries accept an Apostille?
Not all countries accept Apostille Certificates as a form of official certification. Countries that were not members of the Hague Convention or who did not agree to the terms of the convention are not party to the Apostille and therefore require other forms of legalization. For example, when attempting to obtain Apostille, Philippines is not a country you could use this type of verification in for your documents. Instead, you would need to obtain Embassy Legalization.

Are all Apostilles the same?
There are different types of Apostille and these must be obtained in different ways to ensure their authenticity. For example, a State Department Apostille is required for documents issued by U.S. Federal agencies such as naturalization documents, Certificates of Free Sale, background checks, and IRS documents. Trust us to not only help you determine which type of Apostille is appropriate for your needs, but also to go through all of the steps of the process for you so that you get your Apostille as quickly and easily as possible.

Get in touch with us to discuss your travel and let us help you organize your documentation so you do not encounter stressful and frustrating delays.

Prepare for Your Move to the UAE with Document Legalization

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Planning a move to the United Arab Emirates, or UAE, is exciting, but it is not as simple as packing a suitcase, hopping on a plane, and heading on to your new life. Unlike moving to another city, another state, or even some other countries, you must obtain legal documentation before gaining permission to move to the UAE. This document authentication is not always easy and can be time-consuming. Using our authentication services streamlines the process so you can feel confident you are ready for the next chapter in your life.

Knowing what documents are needed when moving to the UAE is the first step in getting everything in place to make your big move. Whether you plan to live in the UAE temporarily or this is a change for the long term, you need the proper document legalization.

Necessary documents include:

  • Resident visa
  • Family visa if you are traveling with your parents, spouse, or children
  • Passport – be aware that there are limitations as to who is permitted to enter the UAE and that they may deny you entrance if your passport shows entrance into some countries.
  • Health card obtained after a medical test

When you are ready to obtain the documents you need for your travel, get in touch with us so we can simplify and expedite legalization of documents for UAE emigration. Tell us the country where you are planning to move so we can explain all of the document requirements and ensure you meet the qualifications for the particular documents you need. We also provide a timeline to ensure you meet your document needs before your planned move date.

The primary goal behind our services is to simplify the process of getting your documents authenticated and your visa processed so you can obtain these documents faster. We do this by bringing your travel documents to the embassy of your intended destination and dropping them off personally rather than mailing them. We then pick them up and verify the visa to ensure you are ready to go.

Simplify the Process of Obtaining an Apostille

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Just like getting a document notarized in the United States verifies authenticity and provides witness that the document is legal and properly signed, obtaining an Apostille provides this verification for documents begin used in foreign countries. Specifications for this type of verification process were established during the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement for Legalization for Foreign Public Documents, also referred to as the Apostille Convention.

Prior to the issuance of this treaty, any documents needed for establishment of identity, marriage, Power of Attorney, birth, and education had to be legalized both in the country of issuance and the country being visited. This represented a time-consuming and often frustrating process that sometimes resulted in the rejection of the legal documents by the foreign country. To avoid this, the Apostille Convention created an agreement among a list of signatory states that agreed documents legalized in those states and featuring an authentic Apostille were legal in the other states. In some situations, specific signatory states do not accept Apostille from some others.

Some of these signatory states include:

  • The United States
  • Albania
  • Belize
  • Bulgaria
  • Costa Rica
  • Dominica
  • Finland
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Ireland
  • India
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Liberia
  • Mexico

Different types of Apostille are available for different types of documents. Using a licensed, experienced Apostille services ensures you get the proper Apostille stamp for your document. Getting authentication for a personal document such as an Apostille on a diploma is obtained by submitting the official document to the Secretary of State. Authentication for a document issued by a Federal agency, such as an Apostille for an FBI background check, must be obtained by submitting to the document to the US Department of State.

Particularly in the case of a Department of State Apostille, using our service expedites the entire process. Rather than you having to mail your documents to the Department office and wait for the Apostille, we submit the request in person, hastening the submission and acceptance process.

If you have questions regarding your particular documents and whether they need an Apostille stamp or other form of legalization, do not hesitate to get in touch with us so we can describe the process and get your request underway.

Be Ready for Your Adventure with Attestation

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When going abroad, formal documentation is essential for proving your identity and confirming your credentials. Just bringing these documents along with you, however, is not always enough. You must be able to demonstrate that those documents are completely authentic and prepared to all of the specifications of the law. Attestation of documents is the process that verifies you executed each document legally and that it is an authentic and genuine copy so the government of the country you are visiting knows it and the information contained within are real.

The documents you need to bring with you depends on where you are going and why. A brief visit, for example, may only require basic identification papers. If you are moving to another country, visiting for a longer period, or going to study abroad, however, you need more extensive documentation to verify your identity, marriage, legal relationships, and education.

Documents you may need attested prior to traveling include:

  • Birth certificates
  • Marriage certificates
  • Powers of Attorney
  • Wills
  • Degrees
  • Transcripts
  • Diplomas
  • Adoption certificates

If you are traveling for business purposes, you may also need attestation of commercial documents such as:

  • Commercial agreements
  • Certificates of Origin
  • Certificates of Good Standing

Attestation is not required for visits to all countries, but is an essential step when preparing for travel to:

  • UAE
  • Qatar
  • Kuwait
  • Saudi Arabia
  • China

Using licensed attestation services in USA makes the process of preparing for your travels faster and prevents frustrating delays. Whether you need attestation for documents for UAE emigration, authentication of educational documents for studying abroad to China, or attestation for other travels, get in touch with us so we can guide you through the entire process. From explaining the authentication requirements of your country of destination to handling each step quickly, our embassy legalization services and process allows you to prepare for your trip and travel with confidence.

Why You Need a Professional Service for the Authentication of Documents

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Have you been asked to go through the document legalization process for an overseas job or another corporate reason? It might seem overwhelming to understand the steps that you need to follow in order to obtain authenticated documents, but don’t worry because you don’t need to do everything on your own! Here at US Authentication Services, we offer a full-service program to take care of this process from start to finish. You don’t need to lift a finger! Simply call us with the details, and we will take care of everything for you.

What is the Authentication of Documents?

This process is requested by various companies in order to ensure that the documents you are providing are accurate and valid. There are many situations where people attempt to provide false documents, which is why the businesses request the verification process to ensure that your paperwork is accurate. With this paperwork, they are verifying your work eligibility as well as other information such as the date/place of birth and whether or not you obtained your diploma.

When requesting  US Department of State Certification, you will need to talk with someone in the Office of Authentications at the US Department of State to have a government official can sign the document to provide the verification that is needed. In some cases, you might work with a Notary Public who signs the document to ensure the validity.

How To Authenticate Documents?

When you are requesting authentication services from US Department of State, someone needs to be present to stand in line in order to gain the authentication that is needed. You don’t need to fly to Washington DC to take care of this process, because we will handle it for you! Simply mail us the information that is needed, you are provided with a quote and an explanation of the process which we will initiate to get your documents certified. Once you send us all the required documentation, we will take the documents to the applicable agencies in Washington DC, stand in line and obtain the proper authorizations for your documents.

Once the documents are certified, we will quickly mail the documents back to you to offer a fast turnaround time. Contact us today to learn more about the authentication services that are available from our company.

What is Document Legalization?

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Are you in need of document legalization? As a United States citizen or if you have obtained your education inside the United States, you might be required to go through the process of attestation of certificates from USA if you are planning to work abroad. This process is usually associated with requirements countries such as China, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE. Or, you might need attestation services for commercial or personal documents as well.

Steps for Attesting Documents

There are several steps that need to be followed in order to go through the attestation process. For example, you might need document legalization from foreign embassies within the USA. Additionally, prior to submitting documents to embassies these documents first need to be certified by the appropriate State and Federal authorities first.

It is important that you get clear information from the person requesting the document attestation, in order to ensure that you are providing the correct information. Then, talk with a company that offers services to help with the legalization of documents, so that you understand the types of attestation services that are available.

Why Work With a Licensed Company

There are many benefits to hiring a professional service to handle this process for you. First of all, you will receive personalized attention so that you can have the peace of mind to know that everything is being handled correctly. Additionally, the service provider will be very familiar with the process, in order to reduce the possibilities of delays or mistakes being made during the document legalization process.

At US Authentication Services, we will provide you with everything that you need from start to finish. You will be able to save the time and effort of travelling to the state and federal government departments that handle document authorization. We can expedite the process, to ensure that you receive your certified documents in a timely manner.

Whether you are moving abroad or you need corporate operational or incorporation documents certified for submission, we can help! Contact us today to learn more about the services that are available.

Basic Steps to Apostille Documents

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If you are moving abroad and you need to show your identification, academic and employment related documents, submitting or showing them by itself won’t be enough. For example, United States citizens who will be working in a program that offers English classes abroad will need to provide verified documents such as a background check and a Diploma in addition to other documents. This process of accessing certified documents can be quite time consuming, but it is often a necessary step in order to work with the company that has hired you.

What Does it Mean to Apostille a Document?

When you start working for a company such as an ESL service, they will likely ask for Apostille certification on your education and background check related documentation, which are certification seals are issued by the government and signed by a Notary Public or government official.

This process authenticates that the document is valid, so that the company can see that you are qualified to work. Each state has their own process for document verification, so you will need to learn about State Department Apostille to verify your documents.

How to Apostille Documents for Teachers

As a teacher, you will likely need to go through the Apostille process, and it can be a confusing system if you aren’t familiar with the requirements. If you are in another country, it can be expensive to fly back to the United States, which is why you should consider Apostille services instead of handling it on your own.

You don’t need to know how to Apostille an FBI background check, because the Apostille service will handle all the details for you . The process might include standing in line in Washington D.C. at the Federal and State Agencies and being familiar with the paperwork to know the forms that need to be submitted. The fastest and most cost-effective method is to work with a service that will Apostille documents for you.

Here at US Authentication Services, we are experts who can help you Apostille documents fast and effectively. Contact us today to learn more about the services that we offer.