Apostille document notarization

Documents going abroad often need a notarized signature first, then an apostille from the Washington Secretary of State. I handle the notarization step and can point you to the rest.

Request an appointment Call 833.924.4278

What this involves

Apostille Services

An apostille is a certificate issued by the Washington Secretary of State that authenticates a document for use in another country. Many documents need to be notarized before the state will apostille them.

The notarization has to be done correctly or the Secretary of State will reject it, and you will have lost the trip and the fee. Wording matters, the certificate has to be complete, and my commission details have to be current and verifiable. That is the part I control and the part I get right.

I cannot tell you whether your destination country requires an apostille, which documents they will accept, or how to complete a foreign form. Those questions go to the receiving agency, the consulate, or an attorney.

Before I arrive

What to have ready.

Five minutes of preparation prevents the most common reason an appointment fails.

Current government issued photo ID
The document requiring notarization
The name of the destination country, so we notarize the right way
Any instructions the receiving agency gave you

Common questions

Straight answers.

Do you issue the apostille yourself?

No. Only the Washington Secretary of State issues apostilles. I perform the notarization that has to happen first, correctly, so the state does not reject it.

What kinds of documents need this?

Commonly powers of attorney, corporate documents, affidavits, and consent forms headed overseas. Vital records like birth certificates are certified differently and do not get notarized.

How long does the state take?

That varies and it is not something I control. Check the Secretary of State's current processing times before you plan around a deadline.

What identification do I need?

Current government issued photo ID showing your signature. Driver license, state ID, US passport, military ID, or tribal ID. If your ID is expired or your name has changed, call before the appointment rather than finding out at the table.

Can you tell me what my document means?

No. A Washington notary is not an attorney and may not explain, interpret, or advise on a document, or recommend whether you should sign. Questions about terms go to your attorney, loan officer, or escrow officer.

All services Where I travel Request an appointment