Notary and Apostille Services in Annandale and Fairfax, VA – The Difference Between Notary and Apostille

For those of you that reside in areas such as Annandale and Fairfax, VA, when the time comes to have legal documentation authorized, you probably understand just how frustrating it can be to find the right person for the job. This is why in areas like these, you’ll find that notary and apostille services in Annandale and Fairfax, VA, are in very high demand. When it comes to issues regarding notary and apostille, though, you may be surprised to learn that not everybody is sure about the differences between the two. If this applies to you, then worry not, because all will soon become clear. In today’s article, we’ll be taking a look at the differences between notary and apostille.

What is notarization?

To kick things off today, we’ll look at what notarization is. Despite its official sounding name, notarization is a service that is actually relatively simple. Basically, notarization is a term which is used to describe the act of having a legal document officially certified. The document in question has to be notarized by a notary public. Documents that have been notarized are then legally valid for use in the USA.

Why is notarization required?

Basically, important legal documents have to be verified to prove that the info that has been provided is accurate, and that the person that claim to have signed the document have so, on the date and time specified. When you log into your online accounts, you’re often required to verify yourself, and the same principle applies here. The other difference is that you don’t verify yourself, but rather, a notary public does so instead. A Notary public will basically oversee the signing of the legal documents in question, to verify that signing took place, and that those that signed were who they claimed to be. Basically, it’s a form of anti-fraud verification.

What is Apostille?

Okay, so as we’re looking at notary and apostille services in Annandale and Fairfax, VA, we’d better now look at what apostille is. Though similarities are there, apostille certificates are slightly different to notaries. Here, apostille certificates came about as a result of the Hague Convention. What is the Hague Convention? Well, this is a treaty drawn up between more than 100 worldwide countries, which enables documents that have been issued in one country, to be accepted within another. Within the Apostille, Notarization is always included. So, if a legal document was issued within the USA, relating to overseas work, in order for the document to be accepted in another country, apostille would need to take place.

Why the need for notary and apostille services?

Now we’re going to quickly look at why there is such high demand for notary and apostille services in Annandale and Fairfax, VA. Each day, up and down the US, legal documents are issued which need to be notarized. On top of that, all over the globe, countless documents are issued which will call for the need of apostille services. Whether it’s work-related, an overseas marriage, citizenship, or anything else, these documents need to be authorized by certified individuals, so finding the right service is essential.

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