Glossary and FAQs
The U.S. Department of State issues both Authentication Certificates and Apostilles. The determination of which certificate is issued is based on the country in which the document will be used. Authentication Certificates are issued for documents which are destined for use in countries that are not parties to the Hague Apostille Convention. Apostille Certificates are issued for documents destined for use in countries that are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention.
An Apostille is a document attached to a Notarized or Certified Document. By international agreement, an Apostille is a process used to make a document legal for use in a foreign country. The Apostille confirms that a government form, signature, seal or stamp on a document is genuine. To say officially by the issuing agency that something is true, correct, or genuine.
Items that will be stowed on an aircraft, away from the passenger. Baggage rules vary by airline and change often.