At Douglaston Notary and Apostille, we specialize in Apostille services to help you navigate the complexities of international document authentication. Our expert team ensures that your documents are properly certified and ready for use abroad, whether for personal, legal, or business purposes. We understand the importance of timely and accurate processing, so we work diligently to provide you with a seamless experience. Trust us to handle your Apostille needs with precision, professionalism, and care, allowing you to focus on what matters most.
-
Step 1: Document PreparationGather the original or certified copies of the documents that require an apostille. Ensure they are issued in New York State and meet the specific requirements for authentication. If your document needs notarization, we’ll take care of it for you.
-
Step 2: Notarization (If Required)If your document requires notarization (e.g., affidavits, power of attorney), our licensed notaries will notarize it in compliance with New York State regulations. This ensures the document is eligible for the next steps.
-
Step 3: County Clerk AuthenticationFor notarized documents, we obtain a certification from the County Clerk in the county where the notarization was performed. This authenticates the notary’s signature and seal, making it ready for state-level processing.
-
Step 4: State-Level Apostille CertificationWe submit your documents to the New York Department of State on William Street office in Manhattan, to obtain the official apostille. This certification validates your document for use in foreign countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention.
-
Step 5: Document ReturnOnce the apostille is issued, we securely package your document and return it to you or shipped to the country of choice. We offer convenient options for delivery, including FedEx, USPS Priority Mail, or in-person pickup
-
An apostille is a certificate that authenticates the origin of a document for use in foreign countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. It ensures the document is recognized as legal and valid internationally.
-
Unlike a simple notarization, obtaining an apostille in New York involves a series of intricate steps that take significantly more time and effort. While a notary’s role is limited to verifying the identity of the signer and witnessing the signature, the apostille process requires additional layers of verification and authentication to ensure the document is legally recognized in a foreign country. This includes county-level authentication (for NYC vital records), state-level certification, and strict adherence to international standards. Each step involves time, travel to government offices, and specialized expertise, and mistakes can result in delays or rejections. The higher cost reflects the time, effort, and precision needed to ensure your document is properly certified and accepted abroad without issues.
-
By hiring us, you save:
• Time: Avoid spending hours or days navigating the process.
• Effort: No need to figure out which offices to visit or what steps to take.
• Peace of Mind: We ensure your documents are handled professionally, avoiding costly mistakes or delays.
-
Yes, you can handle the process yourself, but it requires significant time and effort:
• Traveling to government offices.
• Navigating the specific requirements for authentication.
• Ensuring compliance with international regulations.
Hiring a professional saves you time, reduces the risk of errors, and ensures everything is done correctly the first time.
-
Common documents include:
• Birth and death certificates
• Marriage and divorce decrees
• Power of attorney
• Academic transcripts and diplomas
• Corporate documents like articles of incorporation
• Adoption papers
• Real estate deeds
-
For non-Hague countries, the process involves legalization rather than an apostille. This requires additional steps, including certification by the U.S. Department of State and the embassy or consulate of the destination country. Contact us for assistance with this process.
-
Yes, we can ship your apostilled document internationally. Additional shipping fees will apply based on the destination and delivery method.
-
Yes, we do provide certified and sworn translations at $50 per page.
-
Yes, our pricing is highly competitive for New York City and the surrounding area. Similar services can cost $400–$600 per document. Our rates reflect fair compensation for the time, effort, and expertise required to ensure a seamless process.
-
Base Apostille Fees• Single Document Apostille: $225
(Includes all steps: document review, notarization (if needed), county clerk authentication, and apostille certification by the New York Department of State.)
• Additional Documents (Same Batch): $150 per document
(Applies if multiple documents are submitted together for apostille processing.)
-
Expedited Processing Fees• Expedited Apostille Service: $500 for the first document.
• Additional Documents (Same Batch): $195 per document
(Guaranteed processing within 1–2 business days, depending on the document type and complexity.)
-
Delivery and Shipping Fees• Domestic Shipping (FedEx/USPS Priority): $25
(Includes tracking and secure delivery.)
• International Shipping: $50+
(Varies based on destination and shipping method.)