Notarizing Foreign Documents for Apostille
- kendpetri
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
Need to Notarize Documents for Use Overseas?
Here’s What Indiana Residents Should Know About Apostille Services
If you’ve ever been asked to submit documents abroad—whether for a job, marriage, adoption, business, or education—you’ve likely come across the term apostille. While it might sound complex, the apostille process can be quick and hassle-free when done right.
At Express Notary Plus in Indianapolis, we specialize in making this process simple, convenient, and affordable for Indiana residents.
In this post, we’ll break down everything you need to know about notarizing international or foreign-bound documents and how our team can handle the entire process for you.
What Is an Apostille?
An apostille is a certificate issued by the Indiana Secretary of State that verifies the authenticity of a notarized document for use in countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention. It’s essentially a form of international certification that confirms your document is legitimate and has been properly notarized.
Think of it as a passport for your paperwork—it allows your document to be legally recognized in another country without requiring further validation from a foreign embassy or consulate.
When Do You Need an Apostille?
You may need an apostille for a range of life or business events. Common documents that require an apostille include:
Birth, marriage, or death certificates
Power of attorney for property or legal matters abroad
Adoption paperwork
School transcripts or diplomas for international education
Background checks (FBI or local police) for employment overseas
Business documents (LLC formations, bylaws, certificates of good standing)
If you’re sending Indiana-issued documents overseas and the receiving country is part of the Hague Convention, they’ll likely need to be apostilled.
Step-by-Step: How the Apostille Process Works in Indiana
Here’s how the apostille process typically goes:
Get your document notarized. Most U.S. states allow notaries to notarize documents written in a foreign language, as long as the notarial certificate (the section the notary completes) is in English or another language the notary understands. Most personal or business documents must first be properly notarized by a commissioned Indiana notary (that’s us!).
Submit the notarized document to the Indiana Secretary of State The Secretary of State's office verifies the notary’s signature and attaches the apostille certificate.
Send the apostilled document to the foreign recipient or institution Once apostilled, your document is ready for international use.
While that sounds simple, mailing documents, coordinating notaries, and ensuring every detail is correct can be stressful and time-consuming—especially if you're dealing with multiple documents or tight deadlines.
Why Choose Express Notary Plus for Apostille Services?
At Express Notary Plus, we’ve built our business around making life easier for people just like you. We’re based right here in Indianapolis and offer a full-service apostille solution, including:
✅ Mobile Notary Services – We come to you, anywhere in the Indianapolis area.
✅ Document Review & Preparation – We ensure your documents are properly notarized and formatted to avoid costly delays or rejections.
✅ Courier or Mail Submission to the Indiana Secretary of State – No need to deal with confusing paperwork or long lines.
✅ Nationwide & International Shipping Options – Once your document is apostilled, we can send it directly to its final destination.
✅ Fast Turnaround & Affordable Pricing – Our streamlined process and strong relationships with state offices save you time and money.
In short, we handle everything from start to finish, so you can focus on what matters.
Real-Life Example: Apostille for Marriage Abroad
Let’s say you're planning to get married in Italy and need to provide a notarized single status affidavit. Here’s how we help:
We notarize your affidavit at your home or office.
We verify it meets Italy’s apostille requirements.
We file it with the Indiana Secretary of State.
We deliver or ship the apostilled document to your hands or directly to Italy.
No stress. No guesswork. Just results.
Countries That Require Apostilles
Here’s just a small sample of countries that accept apostilles:
Mexico
France
Brazil
India
Germany
South Korea
Italy
Australia
If the country you're sending your document to is not a Hague member, don’t worry—we also help with non-Hague legalization processes that may involve embassy or consulate authentication.
Get Started with Express Notary Plus Today
Don’t let paperwork slow down your international plans. Whether you're doing business abroad, applying for a visa, getting married overseas, or finalizing an adoption, Express Notary Plus is your local expert for fast and reliable apostille services.
📍 Based in Indianapolis, IN
📞 Call us today at 317-747-3025
📧 Or email Support@expressnotaryplus.net
🌐 Visit www.ExpressNotaryPlus.net
See our YouTube Videos:
🟫 NotaryCafe https://notarycafe.com/Ken.Petri
✖️/Twitter @indy_notary
🇮 Instagram: @indynotary
This article is provided for entertainment purposes only and is not intended as legal advice. We are not attorneys licensed to practice law. We are not allowed to draft legal records, give advice on legal matters, including immigration, or charge a fee for those activities. If you have any legal questions contact proper legal counsel.
We are a certified notary public in Indianapolis, Greenwood, and Carmel areas. Contact us for all your notary public services needs.