Authority Projects - About Notaries Public

^{Help |
Site Map |
Glossary |
Comments}

APOSTILLES

Occasionally, a notary public is asked to notarize documents destined for use in foreign countries. Some examples of such documents include vital records (birth, marriage), school documents (grade transcripts and diplomas), adoption documents, and corporate documents.

While a domestic certification can be issued by a superior court clerk, their appointed deputy, or the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority, the international certification (apostille) bears the Seal of the State of Georgia, and, by permission granted by the Governor, can only be affixed to a document by the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority.

The apostille enables the presenter to bypass further certification from the U.S. Department of State and immediately send or take the document(s) to the country of intended use. Only certain countries will accept the apostille.

Those countries are participants in and referred to as the October 5, 1961 Hague Convention Treaty Nations. Another form of international certification, the Great Seal, is required by some non-Hague Convention Treaty countries.

The Great Seal is affixed to a document by the Elections Division of the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office. It is used to authenticate the signature, and seal, and authority to act of a state of Georgia superior court clerk, their appointed deputy, or certain other state of Georgia public officials such as judges.

If a document, intended for a non-Hague Convention Treaty country, requires authentication via the Great Seal, notarial certification is performed by the clerk of superior court in the Georgia county where the notary public is commissioned, not the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority.

A Certificate of Authentication (both domestic and foreign certifications) only validates the signature, official seal, and authority to act of a state of Georgia notary public or certain state of Georgia local or state officers. A certificate of authentication does not validate the contents, completeness, or accuracy of the notarized or issued document. The authentication process includes matching the signature and seal with the information on file with the Notary Division of the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority.

Here are some steps to follow that will help ensure that your apostille or domestic certification request goes smoothly:

Before leaving the presence of the notary, make sure that the notary has dated the notarization.
Before leaving the presence of the notary, make sure the notary completes a notarial certificate and signs his/her name exactly as reflected on his/her notary commission.
Before leaving the presence of the notary, make sure the notary’s seal is legible. The seal should contain the notary’s name, the name of the county in which the notary is commissioned, the words “Notary Public,” and the name of the state.
Before mailing your documents to the GSCCCA, please arrange your documents neatly.
Before mailing your documents to the GSCCCA, please count your documents and enclose a check or money order for the correct amount. Apostilles are $3. Certifications are $2.
Before mailing your documents to the GSCCCA, please make sure your check is signed and made payable to the GSCCCA.
If mailing your documents, please enclose a letter of request stating the country of destination.
If mailing your documents, please include a self-addressed, postage-paid envelope of the carrier of your choice (USPS, Fedex, UPS, etc.).

What you need to do:

To obtain an apostille or domestic certification, mail or hand deliver (directions to our office) to:

Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority
Notary Division
1875 Century Boulevard, Suite 100
Atlanta, GA 30345

If mailing, please include return postage, instructions specifying the destination country, and a check or money order payable to the GSCCCA. The fee for an apostille is $3 for each document. Domestic certifications are $2 per document.

For further information, please call the Notary Division at (404) 327-6023 or (800) 304-5175. You may e-mail us at peter.keesom@gsccca.org or Cheywanda.Neal@gsccca.org.

For further information to assist you prior to your presenting documents for legalization (authentication) via apostilles or domestic certification visit our Detailed Information Page.

Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority
1875 Century Blvd, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30345
Telephone: (404)327-9058 -- Fax: (404)327-7877