An apostille has the same requirements, the same fee, and the same instructions as a Certificate of Authority. Apostilles cannot be issued for use in the United States.
The apostille is a creation of an international treaty, the Hague Convention of 1961. The United States of America joined the Hague Convention in 1981. The Convention provides for, among other things, the certification of public documents to be used in countries that have joined the Convention. In accordance with the provisions of the Convention, this office issues apostilles only for documents intended for use in foreign countries that also are signatories of the Convention. This document is the equivalent of a Certificate of Authority used in countries that are not participants in the Hague Treaty.
What does an apostille achieve?The objective for using an apostille is to establish a simplified system replacing a signature chain with a standard certificate bearing one signature abolishing the requirement for diplomatic or consular authentication of the certificate.
Who is authorized to issue an apostille?Signatories to the Convention may designate those authorities within their jurisdictions that may issue apostilles. 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. The Michigan Secretary of State has solely authorized the Office of the Great Seal to perform this function. 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.
Can you authenticate a document with a stamped notary public signature?No. Original signatures are required on all notarized documents. Stamped signatures, photocopied signatures, carbon copied or signature facsimiles are not accepted.