Chapter 6

Authentications and Apostilles

The Wisconsin Secretary of State issues authentication certificates for documents being used in the United States that have been properly notarized by a Wisconsin notary. The Wisconsin Secretary of State also issues apostille and authentication certification for documents being sent to foreign countries that have been properly notarized by a Wisconsin notary and/or properly issued by a Wisconsin public officer. The Department of Financial Institutions has authority to issue apostilles, as well.

Authentications

"Authenticating" a document may also be called "flagging", "verifying", "certifying", or "attaching a certificate of magistracy". It means that an official certificate confirming your notary commission must be attached to the document you have notarized. An authentication certificate may be required when a document is sent to another state or foreign country. Business transactions, foreign adoptions, and high school and university transcripts are a few examples of items that frequently require authentication certificates.

Apostille

An Apostille is a certificate that authenticates public documents, such as notarized documents, issued in one country for use in another country where both countries are parties to the Hague Convention. Therefore, when submitting a request to the Office of the Secretary of State or the Department of Financial Institutions it is important to state which foreign country is involved to ensure it is a party to the Convention.

Chapter 6 Quiz

An authentication is a copy of your notary commission certificate.

True
False
An Apostille is a certificate that provides authentication and is attached to a document for international use by countries that are a part of the Hague Convention.

True
False