FAQ - fREQUENTLY aSKED qUESTIONS
What areas of business do you work with?
- Law Firms, Government Contractors, Banks,
- Destination Wedding Planners/Specialist, Insurance (Total Loss/Salvage),
- Healthcare (Nursing Homes/Long Term Care, Hospice),
- Corporate Partnerships, Public Safety (Fire Department, Police Department,
- Emergency Medical Technicians, 911),
- Residential/Commercial Real Estate, Estate Planning,
- Divorce, Adoption, and Funeral Home Directors
But, if ANY document needs a notarization My Georgia Notary and Apostille is your reliable resource.
What Services do you provide?
- Mobile Notary Public
- Apostille Facilitation
- Document Legalization Facilitation
- Auto/Home Loan Signing
- I-9 Employment Verification
- Field Service Inspections
- Signature of Unofficial Witness
- Printing of your documents
- Law Firm Courier
- Executive Document Courier
What is an Apostille? What is it used for?
An apostille certifies the document(s), so that it can be recognized in foreign countries that are members of the 1961 Hague Convention Treaty. The Secretary of State (SOS) of your state issues apostilles for NON-Federal documents, and the U.S. Department of State apostilles/authenticate the seal and signatures of officials on public documents such as birth certificates, court orders, or any other document issued by a federal agency or certified by an American or foreign consul.
All seals and signatures must be originals. A state-issued document with an apostille does not require additional certification by the U.S. Department of State or legalization by a U.S. embassy or consulate overseas to be recognized in a participating country.
Do you provide the Apostille?
No.
The state or the United States Federal government provide the Apostille or the Authentication. We act as your agent/liaison between you and those government agencies. We do it for you so you don't have to worry about the process, traffic or long lines in those offices.
Do you assist with obtaining an Apostille for an FBI Background check?
Yes.
We have a partner in Washington DC to assist. There are several steps to making sure this process is handled smoothly and efficiently. And as a result, many individuals rely on companies like ours who have experience in certifying these documents to ensure the process is completed properly.
Since we submit your Apostille request via United States Postal mail and or an overnight courier, the process is slow. It will take 10-11 weeks to be processed. Due to Covid-19 the federal office is still not accepting in-person appointments. There is NO urgent or same day processing.
In order to process the Apostille request for an FBI Background check for any United States resident, the background check needs to be completed first and foremost (you will need to request and obtain a background check from the FBI; after this step has been completed you can submit the results to us and we will act on your behalf to obtain the Apostille.
What is the difference between a Certification? Authentication? Legalization?
A certification or authentication is a sealed certificate that confirms the authority of a public official, such as a notary public, recorder of deeds, or county clerk, to act in a particular capacity in connection with a document that he or she has signed.
The authentication certificate will verify that the named individual and their position are a matter of record in the Secretary of State's Office. Certification is used for verifying an official, like a Notary Public.
Authentications are used for verifying recorders of deeds, circuit clerks, judges, county clerks and the State Registrar (i.e., birth/death certificate, marriage certificate and divorce a decree.)
Once a document is authenticated, it must be certified by the foreign jurisdiction to be valid there. This process, called legalization, usually occurs at the country's embassy or consulate, and can be considered the final step in the authentication process.
Can you assist with the translation of my documents for Apostille?
My Georgia Notary and Apostille is a trusted and reliable service provider dedicated to assisting individuals and businesses with their document translation needs. With our extensive experience and expertise in notarization and apostille services, we have expanded our offerings to include professional translation services.
At My Georgia Notary and Apostille, we understand the importance of accurate and precise translations. Our team of highly skilled linguists and translators are fluent in multiple languages and possess in-depth knowledge of legal, business, and personal document requirements.
Whether you need your birth certificate, marriage license, academic transcripts, or any other document translated, we ensure that the translated version maintains the same meaning and intent as the original.
What do I do if my documents for Apostille will be used in a non-hague country?
US citizens abroad? If you are in need of a Federal Apostille for your state issued documents My Georgia Notary and Apostille can assist you with your request, no matter where you are in the world.
We can assist you with legalizing documents for non-Hague countries via the Embassy or Consulate. Please note that for these types of requests, original documents, translations and certifications are required and processing times may vary per country.
Trust us to handle your Apostille needs efficiently and effectively.
What do I bring to a signing?
- Your document(s) for notarization,
- a valid identification (Government issued, with a photo, not expired),
- Check the document for a witness signature other than the Notary Public, you may need to bring an adult over the age of 18 years of age with valid identification.
- Ink Pen (Blue or Black)