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The Difference Between an Apostille and a Notarization

If you need to authenticate a document for official use, you might wonder: 

Do I need a notarization or an apostille? While both serve as forms of validation, they are not the same and serve different legal purposes.

What Is a Notarization?

A notarization is performed by a commissioned notary public who verifies the identity of the signer and ensures that they are signing willingly. Notarization does not authenticate the content of the document—it only confirms that the signature is legitimate. Commonly notarized documents include affidavits, powers of attorney, real estate transactions, and sworn statements.

What Is an Apostille?
NJ Apostille Sample

An apostille is an official certificate issued by the state or federal government that verifies the authenticity of a document for international use. It confirms that the notary or issuing authority is legitimate. Apostilles are required for documents like birth certificates, marriage licenses, academic records, and legal agreements when used in foreign countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention.

Key Differences

  • Notarization is a domestic process that confirms a signature’s authenticity.
  • Apostille is for international document validation, verifying the notary or authority’s legitimacy.
  • You may need both—a notarization first, then an apostille for global recognition.

Need Apostille or Notary Services in New Jersey?

If you’re in Edison, Piscataway, Woodbridge, Metuchen, New Brunswick, Clark, Princeton, or Trenton, we make the process easy! We handle notarization and apostille services so your documents are valid locally and internationally.

📞 Contact us today for fast and hassle-free Apostille Agent Services!

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Location: Edison, NJ, USA

Comments

  1. Riyadh Private NotaryOctober 8, 2025 at 3:18 AM

    Very clear explanation! Many people don’t realize that notarization and an apostille serve completely different purposes. Understanding this helps ensure documents are processed correctly, especially when using Notary for international needs. Thanks for breaking it down so simply!

    ReplyDelete

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