Mobile Notary,
Loan Signing
& Apostille Services

Most notary appointment problems come down to the same five mistakes. Knowing them in advance takes a stressful errand and turns it into a quick, painless process.

• Do not sign the document before we arrive. This is the single most common mistake. A notary must witness the actual signing. If your document is already signed, we cannot notarize it and the appointment will need to be rescheduled. Bring the document unsigned.
• Your ID name must match your document name exactly. If your driver's license says Maria Elena Gonzalez and your document says Maria Gonzalez, that mismatch can prevent notarization. Bring the ID that matches.
• All signers must be physically present. Every person whose signature requires notarization must be in the room. We cannot notarize a signature for someone who is not present, regardless of the reason.
• Check whether witnesses are required. Some documents, including certain powers of attorney and wills, require witnesses in addition to the notary. The notary cannot serve as a witness. Check your document in advance and arrange witnesses if needed.
• Bring all pages. Incomplete document packages cause delays. Bring every page including exhibits, attachments, riders, and addenda. If you are unsure which pages need signatures, bring everything and we will guide you through it.

When in doubt, call or WhatsApp us before your appointment. A two-minute conversation prevents a wasted trip.

The terms apostille and authentication are often used interchangeably, but they are two different processes for two different situations. Using the wrong one will get your document rejected and cost you time and money.

• An apostille is for Hague Convention countries. The Hague Apostille Convention is an international treaty with over 120 member countries. If the country where you will use your document is a member, your document needs an apostille, not authentication. Common examples include Italy, Spain, Mexico, Germany, France, Brazil, and many others.
• Authentication is for non-Hague countries. Countries that have not joined the Convention require a different multi-step process involving state certification, U.S. Department of State authentication, and embassy or consulate legalization.
• State and federal documents follow different paths. A birth certificate from Illinois goes to the Illinois Secretary of State for apostille. An FBI background check is a federal document and must go to the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. Sending a federal document to a state authority is one of the most common reasons for rejection.
• Always confirm before you prepare anything. Requirements change. Countries join or leave the Convention. Embassies update their requirements. Contact us before you start and we will confirm the correct process for your specific document and destination country.
• Start early. Apostille and authentication processing times vary widely. State-level apostilles can take several business days. Federal processing and embassy legalization for non-Hague countries can take significantly longer. Never leave this to the last minute.

Not sure which your country requires? Contact us for a complimentary document review before you prepare anything.

If you have ever been told your document needs a certified translation and were not sure what that meant or who to call, this post is for you. Here is what you actually need to know.

• A certified translation is not the same as a notarized translation. A certified translation is a word-for-word translation accompanied by a signed statement from the translator certifying its accuracy. A notarized translation adds an additional layer where a notary verifies the translator's signature. Some institutions require one, some the other, and some both. Always confirm before ordering.
• ATA certification matters. The American Translators Association (ATA) sets professional standards for translators. ATA certified translations are widely accepted by universities, courts, immigration authorities, and government agencies because the certification signals a verified level of professional competency.
• Common situations that require certified translation. Immigration and visa applications, academic enrollment and credential evaluation, court proceedings and legal matters, medical records for international use, apostille on translated documents for use abroad, and employment or financial documentation for foreign institutions.
• Turnaround is typically 2 to 3 business days. For short to medium documents in common language pairs. Larger or more complex documents take longer. Expedited service is available for urgent situations. Always confirm your deadline before ordering.
• Translation and apostille often go together. If your translated document also needs to be used in a country that requires apostille, you may need both services. We offer discounted rates when bundling certified translation with apostille facilitation.

Not sure exactly what your institution requires? Contact us and we will help you confirm before you order anything.