An Apostille is a concept that you may not have heard of before, but it can be crucial when you need to submit official documents outside of Israel. This article explains the importance of an Apostille stamp in international interactions and the validation (or “legalization”) process
An Apostille is a special stamp that provides your documents with official recognition in most foreign countries. It is akin to an “international identity card” for your documents, confirming their legality and validity outside of Israel As a certified notary, I can confirm that an Apostille saves time, money, and considerable frustration in international transactions.
The Hague Convention of 1961, which Israel joined in 1978, established a uniform mechanism for recognizing documents among its member states. When presenting an Israeli document in another member country, the Apostille serves as sufficient official confirmation. This eliminates the need for the previously required complex processes of diplomatic certification
A wide range of documents (termed “public documents” in professional terminology) may require an Apostille stamp.These include birth certificates, marriage certificates, educational certificates, legal documents like judgements and even certain business documents – and of course, notary certificates. It is important to understand that every official document that you intend to present overseas, may require an Apostille.
As a notary, I assist my clients in obtaining an Apostille stamp. The first step is to ensure that the document is the original and that it is valid. Afterwards, according to the type of document, we will turn to the relevant entity – the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the court, or some other governmental office – to obtain the stamp. It is important to remember that the process may vary according to the type of document and the designated country.
Public documents, such as birth and marriage certificates, require a slightly different process.
Usually, we need to obtain certification from the issuing authority of the document, and afterwards to turn to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to obtain the Apostille. I am always meticulous in ensuring that all steps are carried out ‘to a T’ to prevent delays or issues down the road.
For private documents, such as contracts or wills, the process is slightly different. As a notary I can certify a copy of the document or its translation, where necessary. Afterwards, we turn to the competent court to obtain the Apostille stamp. In such cases, the Apostille stamp applies to the notary certificate, such as a translation certificate, certified copy, or signature authentication, etc.
It is important to understand that there are a number of components to the overall cost of obtaining an Apostille stamp. There are the fees for the Apostille itself, which today stands at NIS 40. Furthermore, one must take into account the cost of the notary services and the cost of the courier services, such as the translation and certification of the documents. I always ensure to provide my clients with advance evaluation of the costs involved, so as to avoid surprises.
Not all countries are member states of the Hague Convention. At last count 125 countries out of 193 member states of the UN are member states of the Hague Apostille Convention. In such cases, the process is likely to be more complex. For the most part, additional certification is needed from the diplomatic representative of the foreign country. This can extend the process, but with the experience and the contacts I have accumulated over the years, I can assist in effectively arranging the process in these complex matters also.
In my experience when documents require international validation (or ‘legalization’) early planning and preparation is of tremendous importance.
This means that if you know that you will require certified documents for overseas, you should start the process as soon as possible. And if you are not sure – consult. This will save you unnecessary pressure, additional costs for expedited processes and will guarantee that the documents will be ready on time with the requested Apostille stamp.
As a notary and an advocate with more than 30 years experience in the legal world and 20 years experience in the filed of notary work and legal translations, I provide unique expertise in the field of attending to Apostille stamps. My offices specializes in accurate and quality legal and notary translations, including certification of translation, authentication of signatures and of course – Apostille stamps.
We comply with the highest standards and are committed to a clear timetable from the very first call.
Every notary act is always in accordance with the legally binding notary tariff, without surprises or hidden costs. My experience allows me to effectively and efficiently handle the complex processes and procedures, to ave you precious time and to guarantee accurate and reliable results.
In brief, if you require an Apostille or any other notary service, I invite you to contact me today. I would be pleased to assist you on any question or query or need and to guarantee that your documents obtain the international recognition they need.
Waiting time for an Apostille varies according to the type of document and the issuing entity. Usually the process at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can take up to two weeks. It is important to remember that even the expedited process requires time to thoroughly check the documents.
Yes, every original document requires a separate Apostille stamp. This is due to the need to verify the authenticity of each and every document separately.
In such a case, you will need to go through a more rigorous and complex process for consular authentication. I can assist you in this process and to guarantee that your documents are recognized in the country of destination. This procedure may require additional certificates from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the foreign country’s embassy.
An Apostille remains valid, but the document it certifies may expire.. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the original document is still valid when obtaining the Apostille. It is important to remember that the Apostille process can be complex, especially when talking about sensitive or especially important documents. Moreover, one must take into account that during busy periods, such as holidays and vacation time, waiting times may be longer. Therefore, it is always recommended to start the process as soon as possible.
