Frequently asked questions

An Apostille is a certificate issued by a country's government verifying the authenticity of a government official's signature and seal on a document. Apostilles are used in foreign countries that are members of the 1961 Hague Convention Treaty. An apostille certificate is attached to an original document to validate that it is legitimate and authentic.

For countries not members of the 1961 Hague Convention Treaty, an  Authentication is a certificate issued by their government verifying the authenticity of the government official's signature and seal for use in a foreign country. Documents requested by these countries require several steps to complete that may include state, federal, and embassy attestation/legalization.

• For apostille services, we can receive your original document at our Lanham, MD office (by appointment only, no walk-ins) or mail it in with our convenient next-day prepaid shipping label.
• For notary services, we provide in-office and mobile notary* appointments. Also, remote online notary appointments provide you with the ultimate convenience in the comfort of your home, office, or car--using your mobile phone! 

*Location restrictions apply for mobile services.

We offer standard and expedited processing times ranging from 1-7 business days for Maryland state apostilles. Out-of-state apostilles, federal apostilles, and authentications may take longer. Call us for the most up-to-date estimated processing times*. 

Current Processing Times

Apostille Services:

• Expedited: 1-3 Business Days 
• Standard: 5-7 Business Days

Federal Services:

• Expedited: 7 Business Days 
• Standard: 3 Weeks

Authentication Services for Non-Hague Countries:

• Expedited: 7 Business Days
• Standard: 3 Weeks

Submit your apostille order (En español) today! 

*Document processing starts the day after documents are received in our office, assuming no document deficiencies. Document deficiencies include outdated records, invalid signatures, incorrect notarizations, photocopies, etc.

Depending on the service level, our processing fees range from $250 to $425 for the first document and $95-$125 for each additional document. We also offer document translation and international shipping services for an additional fee. To determine the cost of your specific apostille request, please give us a call at (301) 744-0240 or complete our Apostille Order Form and we will provide you with customized pricing!

We apostille documents for business, marriage, real estate transactions, power of attorney, foreign citizenship, passports, burials, school enrollment, employment, and much more! 

Here are some of our most frequently requested documents:

• Power of Attorney (General and Special)
• Birth Certificate
• Marriage Certificate
• Death Certificate
• FBI Background Check
• Divorce Decree
• Articles of Incorporation
• State Police Record/Background Check
• Trusts, Wills, Estate Plans
• Travel Authorization/Minor Consent Letter
• School Documents (Diploma, School Transcript, and Enrollment Verification Letter)
• Affidavit

No. Only ORIGINAL documents are accepted for apostille certifications. We can help you obtain notarizations and order new certified copies of birth certificates,  marriage certificates, FBI background checks, etc. For a preliminary review, upload images of your documents on our Apostille Order Form.

We offer document mail-in using a prepaid shipping label we provide, in-person drop-off at our office, and courier pick-up options. Mail-in orders are shipped using a 100% insured and tracked prepaid shipping label provided to you. Domestic shipping is included with all apostille services!

Document requirements vary depending on the government entity:

MARYLAND STATE DOCUMENTS:

Notarized documents can be written in another language, but the notarial wording must be in English. Signers' full names must match their government-issued identification.

OUT-OF-STATE DOCUMENTS: 

Requirements vary for documents issued in other states. Please give us a call for specific state requirements.

FEDERAL AND NON-HAGUE DOCUMENTS: 

For documents issued by a federal agency or documents going to a country that is a member of the 1961 Hague Convention, a notarized English translation of the document must accompany the original document. This is a requirement for all documents being processed with the US Department of State. 

Payment is required before services are rendered. Maryland Prime Notary & Apostille accepts credit and debit card payments. 

Countries that are members of the Hague Convention require an Apostille. 

HAGUE APOSTILLE MEMBER COUNTRIES*:

Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei,  Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi,  Cambodia,  Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Eswatini, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niue, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela.

*This list is subject to change. 

Countries that are not members of the Hague Convention require Authentication services. Documents requested by these countries will require several steps to complete. 

NON-HAGUE COUNTRIES:

Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burma Myanmar, Cambodia, Cameroon, Congo Republic, Congo Democratic, Ivory Coast, Cuba, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Haiti, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Libya, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Myanmar Burma, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Palestine, Qatar, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Taiwan, Tanzania, Togo, Thailand, Turkmenistan, UAE (United Arab Emirates), Uganda, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe. 

• We offer in-office appointments at our Lanham, MD office (no walk-ins), mobile notary, and remote electronic notary services.
• For remote online notarizations, simply send us your documents and complete your remote online notarization appointment via phone, tablet, or laptop from anywhere in the world! Notarized documents are emailed to you immediately after the appointment.
• Mobile notary appointments provide you with the ultimate convenience in the comfort of your home, office, or coffee shop. Location restrictions apply.

Notarized documents can be written in another language, but the notarial wording (where the notary public signs and stamps) must be in English. Signers' full names must match their government-issued identification.

Online payment is required before services are rendered. Maryland Prime Notary & Apostille accepts credit and debit card payments. 

Yes. All signers must present appropriate government-issued unexpired photo identification for appointments. Acceptable identifications include a state driver's license, US passport, federal employee ID, Military ID, etc. 

Customers are not permitted to sign on behalf of another person except in cases where there is an established power of attorney legally executed.

You need a computer or smartphone with a camera, a stable internet connection, a valid government-issued ID for identity verification, the document you wish to have notarized, and the ability to successfully answer knowledge-based authentication questions. Book your remote online appointment here.

Yes, our remote online notary service uses a secure, authorized online platform to protect your personal information and ensure the integrity of the notarization process. 

Most documents can be notarized remotely, including contracts, affidavits, and powers of attorney. However, some documents may have specific requirements, so please check with us if you are unsure. 

If you experience technical difficulties, our notary is available by phone to help resolve any issues and ensure the notarization process is completed smoothly. 

Remote Online Notarizations became legal in Maryland effective 10/1/2020. Remote online notarizations are valid in many other states, but laws can vary. We ensure our service complies with the regulations in Maryland. Always check with the receiving party to confirm acceptance of the electronically notarized document.

After the notarization, your document will be returned electronically with the notary’s digital signature and seal directly to your email.

We can translate a wide range of documents, including legal contracts, birth certificates, marriage certificates, academic transcripts, business documents, and more. 

Submit your translation request on our Translation Order Form. On the form, you can upload your documents and submit payment. You can also email the documents to info@maryland-notary.com. Please ensure the documents are clear and readable for the best results. 

Yes, all our translations are certified by professionals who ensure they are accurate and true to the original document. 

We provide translation services for a wide range of 100+ languages. Contact us to confirm if we support the specific language you need. 

Delivery time depends on the complexity and length of the document. We strive to complete all orders within 3 business days. We will provide an estimated delivery time when we receive your request. 

Revisions are included if they are due to errors made by the translator. However, changes to the original text or additional clarifications may incur extra fees. 

Yes, we offer rush services for an additional fee. Please contact us to discuss your specific timeline. 

The client is responsible for how the translated document is used. Our certification guarantees the translation is an accurate reflection of the original document, but we are not liable for any issues arising from its use. 

Absolutely! Give us a call at (301) 744-0240 or email info@maryland-notary.com. We are always happy to assist with your notary and apostille questions. If you would like us to review your document, please email or text (301) 793-6200 an image of the document to us. 

Also, check out our Notary & Apostille Blog where we frequently share information on various notary and apostille topics!

Maryland Prime Notary & Apostille does not offer refunds. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns. We will do our very best to find a resolution!

We allow a 15-minute grace period for late appointment arrivals. Please give us a courtesy call at (301) 793-6200. After that time, the appointment will be canceled and rescheduled.