CERTIFIED. VERIFIED. TRUSTED.
Apostille & Authentication Services
Ink & Trust Notary Services, LLC assists clients with preparing and submitting documents for international use. Depending on the destination country, your document may require either an Apostille or Authentication/Legalization.
​
I help guide you through the process, make sure your documents are properly prepared, and coordinate submission to the appropriate agencies so you don’t have to navigate the steps alone.​​
If your document needs to be notarized before submission, I can notarize it remotely through Remote Online Notarization (RON) or in person through my mobile notary service, depending on your needs and eligibility.
​
My goal is to make the process clear, secure, and convenient.
Please note: I’m not an attorney and I can’t provide legal advice. I can explain the general process and provide notarization and document submission services.
Apostille vs. Authentication: What’s the Difference?
The type of certification your document requires depends on whether the destination country is part of the Hague Apostille Convention.
Some countries accept an Apostille, while others require Authentication and Embassy or Consulate Legalization.
Not sure if your document needs notarization? I can explain the notarization process, but document requirements should be confirmed with the document issuer or an attorney.
Hague Convention Countries (Apostille)
If the destination country is part of the Hague Convention, your document typically requires an Apostille issued by the Maryland Secretary of State (SOS).
Typical Apostille Steps
01.
Quick review of your situation
Tell me the document type, destination country, and whether it needs notarization first. I’ll confirm the next steps and what to have ready.
02.
Notarize first (if needed)
If your document requires notarization, I can complete it via Online Notary (RON) or mobile notary by appointment.
03.
Courier-style submission support (when available)
I coordinate the submission of your documents to the Maryland Secretary of State (SOS) for Apostille processing. Once the Apostille certificate is issued and attached, I arrange secure return delivery or pickup of the completed documents.
Apostilles are issued by the appropriate government office. Courier-style support helps with submission and retrieval but does not guarantee processing timelines.
Non-Hague Countries (Authentication & Legalization)
If the destination country is not part of the Hague Convention, the process usually requires Authentication and Embassy or Consulate Legalization.
Requirements vary. Always follow instructions from the receiving agency/country and consult an attorney for legal questions.
Typical Authentication Steps
01.
Quick review of your situation
Tell me the document type, destination country, and whether it needs notarization first. I’ll confirm the next steps and what to have ready.
02.
Notarize first (if needed)
If your document requires notarization, I can complete it via Online Notary (RON) or mobile notary by appointment.
03.
Courier-style submission support (when available)
I coordinate authentication through the Maryland Secretary of State, and depending on the document and destination country, additional certifications and embassy or consulate legalization may be required. Once the process is finalized, I arrange secure return delivery or pickup of your completed documents.
Because multiple agencies may be involved, processing times can vary depending on the destination country.
Rush & Expedited Apostille Handling
If you are working against a deadline, I offer priority service options when feasible.
Standard Processing
-
Document intake and review
-
Submission coordination
-
Processing through normal agency timelines
Rush Handling
-
Priority document intake
-
Same-day or next-business-day submission when possible
-
Priority scheduling and coordination
Expedited / Priority Handling
-
Immediate intake review
-
Priority courier submission
-
More frequent updates on document status
Rush and expedited handling fees apply in addition to government processing fees and shipping costs.
Important Document Notice
Once an Apostille or Authentication certificate has been attached:
-
Do not remove staples
-
Do not detach certificates
-
Do not alter any pages
Removing or altering the certification may invalidate the document and require the process to start again.
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re unsure whether your document requires an Apostille or Authentication, I can help determine the correct process based on the destination country.
If notarization is required, I can notarize your documents online through Remote Online Notarization (RON) or in person through my mobile notary service.
Contact me today or schedule your appointment to begin.
Ready to Schedule
Book online for the fastest service, or send a quick message.