Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist Certification (CAMS) Practice Exam

Can a notary issue an apostille?

1. No, only government officials can issue apostilles

2. Yes, if they are in a country that signed The Hague Convention

3. No, unless they receive special training

4. Yes, but only if the document is notarized

The correct answer is: Yes, if they are in a country that signed The Hague Convention

A notary can issue an apostille if they are in a country that is a party to The Hague Convention. The Hague Convention established a simplified process for verifying the authenticity of documents, which alleviates the need for full legalization of public documents intended for use in foreign countries. When a document is notarized in a participating country, a notary can provide an apostille, which serves as a certification of the notary's authority and the authenticity of the signature on the document. Countries that are signatories to this convention recognize the apostille as sufficient proof of a document's legitimacy, eliminating the need for additional verification by embassies or consulates. This systematic approach not only facilitates international trade and legal processes, but also ensures that documents are recognized across borders with minimal bureaucratic hurdles.