When documents notarized in Pennsylvania are intended for use outside the United States, some proof that the notary was officially commissioned and authorized to act may be required.

Depending on the country where the notarized document is to be used, the Department of State issues either an apostille or a certification. The apotille is recognized by countries that have signed Convention 12 of The Hague Conference on Private International Law. Anyone may request to have the notarizaton on a document authenticated in this way.

To provide this authentication, the Department requires that the notarization must be done properly. All notarized documents presented to the Secretary of the Commonwealth for authentication must contain:

• the date of the notarial act
• the proper notarial wording for the notarial act
• the notary's official stamp (an ebmossing seal is not required, but may be used in conjunction with the stamp); and
• the notary's signature

Documents that do not contain appropriate notarial wording will be rejected and returned.

Once the document is notarized properly, follow these steps to request an apostille:

1. Attach a request for an apostille. A request form is available on the Department of State's Web site, www.dos.pa.gov/OtherServices/Certifications_Apostilles/Documents/apostilles%20and%20authentication.pdf. Make sure you identify the country where the notarized document will be used.
2. Enclose a $15 personal check, cashier's check or money order per certificiate payable to "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania." Each notarized document requires a separate apostille. The customer pays all fees for the apostille.
3. Enclose a stamped envelope, addressed to the customer, for the return of the document and the certificate. If the customer wants the apostille to be returned by express delivery, he or she must enclose a prepaid express delivery form with the request. The Department does not accept FedEx or DHL for the return shipment of documents.
4. Mail everything to the Pennsylvania Department of State at the address on the request form.

The original document and the apostille will be returned to the customer within 10 to 14 business days. Walk-in requests are processed while the requestor waits. The customer may then mail or take the documents to their final destination.

To ensure that your request is processed quickly, the Department recommends that you enclose the correct fee, clearly identify the country where the documents will be used, and send only original notarized documents. Do not send photocopies.

For general information, visit the Department's Web site www.dos.pa.gov/OtherServices/Certifications_Apostilles/Pages/default.aspx.

If you have questions regarding documents that will be used overseas, contact the Pa. Department of State, the consulate or embassy of the country where the documents will be used, or an attorney qualified to advise you.