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Frequently Asked Questions

Notary Public FAQ

  • Please review all attached documents to ensure the correct spelling of names and dates.

    Complete all forms, except where Notarial wording is present, and refrain from signing signature lines.

    A valid form of ID must be presented at the time of signing.

  • In Pennsylvania, acceptable forms of identification for a notary appointment typically include:

    • Driver's License issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT)

    • Non-driver's ID Card issued by PennDOT

    • U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport Card

    • Military ID Card issued by the U.S. Armed Forces

    • Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

    • U.S. Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship

    • Employee ID Card with a photograph issued by a federal, state, or local government agency or entity

    • A valid foreign passport if the notary applicant is not a U.S. citizen but is authorized to work in the United States.

    • It's important to note that the ID must be current, government-issued, contain a photograph of the individual, and contain the individual's signature.

  • A notary public is a public official authorized by the state to witness and certify signatures on legal documents, administer oaths, and perform other duties to deter fraud and ensure the authenticity of documents. Their primary role is to act as an impartial witness in the signing of important documents, providing an official seal or stamp to validate the transaction.

  • Absolutely! In Pennsylvania, our notaries undergo rigorous yearly background checks, excel in the state-mandated notary exam, and maintain up-to-date bonds and Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance as prescribed by Pennsylvania law, ensuring the highest standards of professionalism and trustworthiness in their notarial services.

  • Notarizations can vary based on the type of document and the specific requirements of the jurisdiction, but some common types include:

    Acknowledgment: The signer of the document acknowledges to the notary that they signed it voluntarily and that the signature is genuine.

    Jurats (or Verification upon Oath or Affirmation): The signer swears or affirms to the notary that the contents of the document are true, and the notary certifies the oath or affirmation.

    Certified Copies: The notary certifies that a document is a true and complete copy of an original document.

    Witnessing Signatures: The notary witnesses the signing of a document and verifies the identity of the signer.

    Oaths and Affirmations: The notary administers oaths or affirmations for various legal purposes.

    Protests: This is a special type of notarization typically used for negotiable instruments like checks and drafts, involving the formal noting of dishonor by a notary.

  • We exclusively offer mobile notary appointments. For any correspondence via mail, please address it to:

    Philadelphia Notary & Apostille. 701 E Cathedral Road Suite 45. Philadelphia, PA 19138.

Apostille & Authentications FAQ

  • Once we verify which country your documents will be used at we ca determine which service you will need.

    You will need an Apostile if your documents will be used in the following countries:

    Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote D’Iviore, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Eswatini, European Union, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Holy See, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Niue, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, USA, Ukraine, United Kingdom & Northern Ireland, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe

  • An Apostille is a certification used for international documents, verifying their authenticity and validity. It simplifies the process of legalizing documents for use in countries that are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention. By affixing an Apostille, the document becomes valid in other member countries without further legalization.

  • Embassy legalization involves the process of authenticating documents for use in foreign countries that are not parties to the Hague Apostille Convention. It requires presenting the document to the embassy or consulate of the destination country for verification of its authenticity. Once legalized by the embassy or consulate, the document becomes valid for use in the foreign country.

  • A Federal Apostille, also known as authentication, is a certification process required for documents issued by U.S. federal agencies for international use in countries that are not parties to the Hague Apostille Convention. This process involves verifying the signature of the official who signed the document and confirming that they had the authority to do so. The authentication is typically performed by the U.S. Department of State's Authentication Office or by the relevant federal agency. Once authenticated, the document can be used abroad after further legalization by the embassy or consulate of the destination country.

  • Yes, we can prepare your Apostille order for all 50 states. Please let us know on your Order Form.

  • While we can assist with apostilles, we also offer notarization services if needed. However, if there are any errors with notarization that we did not perform, we cannot ensure acceptance by the governing agency. Rectifying such errors and resubmitting the document will incur additional costs.

  • In some cases, an original document or a Certified Copy issued by a governing agency is required; photocopies or duplicates may not suffice.

  • Documents that may require an Apostille include:

    • Birth certificates

    • Marriage certificates

    • Divorce decrees

    • Adoption papers

    • Educational diplomas and transcripts

    • Power of Attorney documents

    • Articles of Incorporation

    • Notarized affidavits

    An Apostille on a birth certificate may be needed to register a child for school in another country, while an Apostille on a marriage certificate could be required for immigration purposes. Divorce decrees with an Apostille might be necessary to prove marital status when applying for residency abroad. Adoption papers may need an Apostille to finalize international adoptions. Educational diplomas and transcripts often require an Apostille for acceptance by foreign universities or employers. Apostilles on Power of Attorney documents can facilitate legal transactions abroad. Articles of Incorporation may need an Apostille to establish a business presence in another country. Notarized affidavits with an Apostille might be necessary for legal proceedings or contracts outside the issuing country.

  • Yes, we offer translation services starting at $85 per page. Please note that this is an additional service and will incur an extra cost.