I've Traveled Around the World!

Okay, not really but I feel like I have with all of the Apostille and Certifications I have completed for clients. These documents have gone to Mexico, France, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, United Arab Emirates, Switzerland, Russia, Poland, India, Argentina and Taiwan.

Even though I haven't had the opportunity to journey to all of these exotic locations I travel vicariously through my clients. Where their documents go, I go (in my head, of course). :)

There are a total of 69 countries that accept Apostilles and hundreds more that accept Certifications so I have many more places to venture to. I'm looking forward to the adventure.

Caught On the Wrong Side of the Law

Like I've stated before there's never a dull day as a notary. You never know what each day will bring or what you will be asked to notarize. Sometimes you are asked to notarize documents for inmates held by the Los Angeles County Sheriff either in jail or at the courthouse.

Incarcerated prisoners often need powers of attorney and health care directives notarized to enable family members to handle their affairs while imprisoned.

Another frequent request are confidential marriages, which are required if the future spouse is behind bars.

There are three jails within traveling distance of Long Beach run by the LA County Sheriff - Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles, Men's Central (MJC) in Los Angeles and Century Regional Detention Facility (CRDF) in Lynwood.

During the week the jails host professional visiting hours, which makes this type of notarization a pretty painless process. On the weekend visiting an inmate may take up to 3 hours but thanks to my "professional" status I am usually in and out within 20 minutes. Because of this, I have been able to help family members with notarized and non-notarized documents.

Los Angeles County runs over 20 Superior Courts. Some of the closest being Bellflower, Long Beach, Downey, Compton, Norwalk, San Pedro and Torrance Courthouse. I have frequently conducted business for inmates and their families at the Long Beach Courthouse.

Apostille or Certification?

Are you in possession of a document that needs to be authenticated prior to being accepted internationally? The most common authentications are apostilles and certifications.

If your document is going to one of the 69 member countries of the Hague Convention then your document will simply require an apostille issued at the state level. Once the apostille is attached the document may be sent directly to the member nation with no further action.

Documents going to a non-member countries will be issued a certification and then must be transmitted to the Authentication Office of the Department of State in Washington, D.C. for further processing.

Common documents requiring an apostille or certification are birth certificates, marriage licenses, school records, such as transcripts & diplomas, death certificates, papers for adoption, powers of attorney, parental permission to travel, etc.

Starbucks Closing Stores

Attention all Starbucks' addicts:

The official word is out - Starbucks is closing approximately 600 company-operated stores in the U.S. beginning July 2008 continuing through the first half of 2009.

It seems the over saturation has finally caught up with them. Starbucks became like the neighborhood liquor store, there was one on every corner.

For example, Long Beach has a population of approximately 472,494 and has over 20 Starbucks! If you missed one you knew you would soon find another.

To find out if your favorite Starbucks is closing just click here.

Parental Permission to Travel

Planning a trip out of the U.S. with your minor child without his or her other parent? If so, in addition to a U.S. passport you may also need a notarized letter of consent from the non-traveling parent. Not only does the form need to be notarized it may also require further authentication with a California apostille.

I recently had a client who was moving back to the U.S. from Colombia. He left ahead of his wife and daughter so he sent his wife a notarized affidavit of parental consent so his wife could leave the country with his daughter. Once they arrived at the airport they were informed that in addition to the notarization the form also required an apostille.


Imagine his wife's dismay receiving this bombshell just as they were ready to leave the country. Thankfully, I was able to get the apostille and ship the document to Colombia that same day. In spite of my efforts, her return trip was delayed six days.

Contact the consulate of your destination country to find out if they require a parental permission to travel form but it's always best to over-document to prevent any last minute delays.

Contact me today for California Apostille information & pricing

562-314-4319

Getting Married Overseas?

Destination weddings are a growing trend for many American (U.S.) couples. If you are planning a wedding overseas it is important to research all of the legal requirements of the country and which documents are needed prior to your wedding date.

At a minimum, most countries will require birth certificates, passports and evidence of single status (e.g. divorce documents or death certificate of former spouse for people entering second marriages). The majority of countries also have a minimum residency requirement before allowing a couple to marry. This is usually between one and seven days.

For a list of country requirements it is wise to check with the foreign consulate of that country. Also, be sure to ask which of any of the documents require authentication by the U.S. government (apostille or certification) prior to being accepted by the destination country.

Just this week, I received a call from a frantic bride who was getting married in France and she was just informed that she needed to have her birth certificate and divorce decree apostilled, and the wedding is this weekend.

To prevent such headaches The Document Diva can quickly and easily get your California originated documents apostilled, usually within 3 to 4 days.