- Notarisation:
- Notarisation is a process where a notary public (me) verifies the authenticity of a document and the identity of the person signing it.
- The notary public (me) adds their official seal or stamp to the document, indicating its notarised status.
- Notarisation is typically required for various legal documents, such as affidavits, contracts, and powers of attorney.
- Apostille:
- An apostille as a specialised form of authentication used for documents intended for use in foreign countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention.
- An apostille is issued by a designated authority in the country where the document was issued.
- It certifies the authenticity of the document and the signature of the issuing authority, allowing it to be recognised and accepted in other member countries without the need for further legalisation.
- Basically the two countries agree that they trust each other due to the apostille.
- Purpose:
- Notarisation primarily serves as a means of verifying signatures and ensuring the authenticity of documents within a specific jurisdiction.
- On the other hand, apostille is specifically designed for international recognition and is used to simplify the process of accepting foreign documents in countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention.
- Recognition:
- Notarised documents may not automatically be recognized and accepted in foreign countries without additional steps, such as legalisation or obtaining an apostille.
- Apostilled documents, however, are generally recognised and accepted in member countries of the Hague Apostille Convention without the need for further legalization.
- Applicability:
- The need for notarisation or apostille depends on the requirements of the receiving country.
- Some countries may require notarisation, while others may only recognise apostilled documents or have different authentication procedures altogether.
