Apostille Versus Notary Certification in Massachusetts

The source clarifies the distinction between an apostille and notary certification, processes often confused but serving different purposes. It explains that an apostille is for authenticating documents for international use in countries belonging to the Hague Convention, while notary certification verifies the identity of a document signer for domestic legal purposes.

The text also outlines when each service is needed, provides examples of documents requiring each, and details the process for obtaining an apostille in Massachusetts. Ultimately, the information aims to help individuals determine the correct document authentication required for their specific needs, whether for use within the U.S. or abroad.