These services are ideal for:
– International visa applications and travel
– Foreign property transactions
– Overseas school admissions
– U.S. stay status clearance
Apostille vs Authentication: An apostille (French word meaning notation) is a standard certification provided under The Hague Conference on Private International Law: October 5, 1961 Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legislation for Foreign Public Documents for the purpose of authenticating documents for use in foreign countries. An Apostille is a form of certification issued by the Secretary of State to documents for use in countries that participate in the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961. If the country of intended use does not participate in the Hague Convention, documents being sent to that country may be required to obtain an additional federal Certificate of Authentication from the U.S. Department of State of Authentications placed on top of the state issued apostille. The United States has authorized the Authentication Officer of the United States Department of State, clerks and deputy clerks of the federal courts, the secretaries of state (or their counterparts) of the various states, and designated officials in the United States territories to issue apostilles. The Michigan Secretary of State is among the authorities in the United States of America authorized to issue an apostille as referred to in the Hague Treaty.
Apostille and Authentication From the Secretary of State: 50 States in U.S.; Secretary of State Officials can provide state certification (State Official Seal) for documents that bear the signature of a State Official officer or other Authorized State Notary Public Officer and are to be sent to or used in a foreign country. The Michigan Secretary of State has solely authorized the Office of the Great Seal to perform this function. For more information about the Michigan State apostille https://www.michigan.gov/sos/all-services/document-authentication-and-apostille The Office of the Great Seal may issue an apostille on documents issued by persons on file, including: Michigan notaries public, Michigan county clerks, designated deputy county clerks, city registrars (Wayne County only), and the Michigan state registrar. Certification provided by the Secretary of State’s Office does not verify the accuracy or reliability of the contents of the record. For more information about the Michigan State authentication https://www.michigan.gov/sos/faqs/office-of-the-great-seal/document-authentication
What is the difference between authentication and apostille?
An apostille is for documents to be used in countries that participate in the 1961 Hague Convention Treaty. Authentication certificates are for documents to be used in countries that do not participate in the 1961 Hague Convention Treaty.
Does the FBI provide apostilles?
An apostille is a certification that a document has been “legalized” or “authenticated” by the issuing agency through a process in which various seals are placed on the document.
The FBI will no longer place the FBI seal on U.S. Department of Justice Order 556-73 fingerprint search results. The FBI will authenticate all fingerprint search results by placing the FBI watermark and the signature of a division official on the results at the time of submission. Documents authenticated by the FBI may then be sent to the U.S. Department of State by the requestor to obtain an apostille if necessary. https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/more-fbi-services-and-information/identity-history-summary-checks/identity-history-summary-checks-faqs
Do I need to notarize my FBI Background Check before sending it to the Department of State for an Apostille?
No, an FBI background check should not be notarized before sending to the Federal Authentications Office in DC. Hague Convention of October 5, 1961 Listed Countries: Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents. The listed countries are https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/status-table/?cid=41
Apostille and Authentication From the U.S. Department of State: An Apostille or an Authentication enables a public document issued in one country to be recognized as valid in another country. An Apostille or an Authentication certifies reveals the authenticity of the signature, seal and position of the official who has executed, issued or certified a copy of a public document such as birth certificates, court orders, or any other document issued by U.S. Federal Official, or U.S. Consular Officer. U.S. State Department and is intended for a documents for use in countries that do NOT participate in the Hague Convention of 1961 for federal documents such as FBI Reports and FBI Background Checks. This enables you to fulfill the requirements for international travel, relocating to a foreign country, accepting a job overseas, marrying a foreign national and a variety of other situations eg. Marriage certificates, Death certificates, Birth certificates, Divorce decrees, Single status affidavits, Power of attorney, Wills Car titles, Adoption dossier, FBI records, Criminal history reports etc. For more information about U.S. State apostille https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/records-and-authentications/authenticate-your-document/apostille-requirements.html For more information about U.S. State authentication https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/records-and-authentications/authenticate-your-document/authentication-certificate-requirements.html .
Things To Do: Notarize each document in front of a notary public (Use County / State). Certify your document at the clerk of court then the secretary of state. Note: If you do not have the correct notarization, it will not be able to process your request. U.S. Department of State cannot accept copies unless they are “true certified copies” from a notary public. All documents in a foreign language must be translated into English by a certified translator and notarized as a true translation. Apostilles makes international document verification faster and easier by removing redundancy and improving efficiency. Can I authorize someone to process my apostille? Yes, bring the signed authorization letter of the owner, documentation with signature, copy of valid government ID, and Representative’s valid ID (photocopy and original). Apostilles do not have a use by date and they do not expire. Time Frame: For state issued documents 4-14 days, For federally-issued documents 6-8 weeks. For state issued documents requiring embassy legalization 3-8 weeks.
Photo ID Verification
Submit One Primary ID or: The most commonly accepted forms of photo ID issued by the Government Authorities are Driving License, State ID, Military ID, Green Card, U.S. Passport or Passport Card, Federal Government Personal Identity Verification Card (PIV), Federal/State/Local government agency ID card, Canadian driver’s license, Foreign Passport with Appropriate Immigration Document (s), etc. Make sure all the identification documents are original (“not copied”), current, valid, and unexpired.
We are fully authorized to transmit fingerprints nationally across all 50 U.S. states and internationally. We offer both Live Scan and Ink Card services, with most cards included at no additional cost. Royal Printing is trusted and authorized by the Michigan and Florida State Police Biometric Divisions, Clearinghouse, AHCA, and the FBI Identification Division. Our services cover a wide range of needs, including: - Professional licensing and personal background reviews - Character and fitness applications - Rap sheets, court orders, and DOJ/Departmental Orders - School requirements, State Bar applications, international travel and visas. At Royal Printing, we utilize FBI-approved, advanced biometric technology to ensure fast, secure processing and prompt results.
11255 Hall Road, Suite 201, Utica, MI 48317. Phone : (586) 943-7037, (248) 341-9744