New York State Notary Practice Exam

What is the term for a department of state authentication attached to a notarized document for international use?

1. Attestation

2. Acknowledgment

3. Apostile

4. Certification

The correct answer is: Apostile

The correct term for a department of state authentication attached to a notarized document for international use is "Apostille." An Apostille is a specific form of authentication that certifies the authenticity of a public document in the context of international law, particularly in countries that are part of the Hague Convention. This process simplifies the verification of documents, making them acceptable in foreign jurisdictions without the need for further authentication. In contrast, attestation generally refers to the act of witnessing a signature or verifying the authenticity of a document, but it does not specifically pertain to international use. An acknowledgment is a formal declaration before a notary that the signer has willingly signed a document, which is primarily a domestic process. Certification, while it can imply a similar verification process, lacks the specific international context that an Apostille provides. For documents being used abroad, especially in countries recognized by the Hague Convention, an Apostille is essential to validate their legitimacy.