§ 1183 Foreign Document Authentication

This law explains how a document can be officially verified when it's made outside the U.S., using a notary or other officials.

Key Takeaways

•A notary can verify a document abroad.
•A judge or U.S. diplomatic officer can also verify it.
•An apostille stamp can replace the extra verification.

Example

You sign a power of attorney while living abroad and need it to be valid in the U.S.

You can have a local notary sign it, and then either a local judge or a U.S. diplomat can verify the signature, or you can get an apostille stamp that makes it official without extra verification.

(a) The proof or acknowledgment of an instrument may be taken without the United States, by any of the following: (1) A minister, commissioner, or chargè d’affaires of the United States, resident and accredited in the country where the proof or acknowledgment is made. (2) A consul, vice consul, or consular agent of the United States, resident in the country where the proof or acknowledgment is made. (3) A judge of a court of record of the country where the proof or acknowledgment is made. (4) Commissioners appointed by the Governor or Secretary of State for that purpose. (5) A notary public. (b) If the proof or acknowledgment is taken by a notary public, the signature of the notary public shall be proved or acknowledged (1) before a judge of a court of record of the country where the proof or acknowledgment is taken, or (2) by any American diplomatic officer, consul general, consul, vice consul, or consular agent, or (3) by an apostille (certification) affixed to the instrument pursuant to the terms of The Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents. (Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 291, Sec. 4. (SB 696) Effective January 1, 2024.)

This law explains how a document can be officially verified when it's made outside the U.S., using a notary or other officials.

Key Takeaways

•A notary can verify a document abroad.
•A judge or U.S. diplomatic officer can also verify it.
•An apostille stamp can replace the extra verification.

Example

You sign a power of attorney while living abroad and need it to be valid in the U.S.

You can have a local notary sign it, and then either a local judge or a U.S. diplomat can verify the signature, or you can get an apostille stamp that makes it official without extra verification.

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

References

§ 1183 Foreign Document Authentication

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

References

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References