Ohio Notary Practice Exam

For documents going to a country that has signed The Hague Convention Treaty, what certificate should be used?

1. Standard certificate

2. Jurat certificate

3. Apostille

4. Certification verification

The correct answer is: Apostille

The correct answer is the Apostille. This certificate is an international form of authentication for documents that ensure their legitimacy in countries that are signatories to The Hague Convention Treaty. When documents are intended for use in another country that recognizes the Apostille, this method streamlines the process of verifying the notarization and ensures that the document will be accepted without the need for further authentication by the foreign government. In contrast, other types of certificates, such as the standard certificate or jurat certificate, pertain more specifically to different notarial acts and do not carry the same international recognition as the Apostille. A standard certificate is typically used to affirm the legitimacy of a notary’s signature on a document, while a jurat certificate verifies that an individual has taken an oath or affirmation in the presence of a notary. Certification verification is a more generic term and does not specifically relate to international treaties like The Hague Convention. Therefore, using an Apostille is essential for ensuring documents are valid and recognized across borders that are part of the treaty.