Below are some of the requirements from the State of GEORGIA to Apostille documents or Issue a Certificate of authority:
Vital Records: The birth/death certificate must be an official certified copy issued by the Georgia Department of Community Health or the County Probate Court or Health Department. Marriage certificate/license must be an official certified copy issued by the county Probate Court. These documents are never notarized. If your vital record was issued prior to the year 2000, the GSCCCA recommends you obtain a new certified copy.
Court Documents: The divorce decree must be an official certified copy issued by the county Clerk of Superior Court and preferably have been issued since the year 2000. These documents are never notarized
Corporate Documents: Corporate documents must be certified copies issued by the Georgia Secretary of State Corporations Division or they can be certified copies downloaded from Georgia Secretary of State Corporations Division website.
Criminal Records:
- GBI record checks that have been signed by a GBI official and that official’s signature was witnessed by a notary are ready for the Apostille.
- Local Police Agencies: An issuing police agency official should sign the results of the record check and that signature must be witnessed by a Georgia notary. If they have done so, your document is ready for the apostille. Police agencies often do not notarize the records check. If this is the case, complete the Criminal Records Check affidavit and sign it in the presence of any Georgia notary public.
Educational documents:
- School transcripts/grades: These must be signed by an issuing official of the school in the presence of a notary public. Only transcripts/grades from Georgia schools can be Apostilled in Georgia. The simplest method is for a school official (principal, guidance counselor, registrar, etc.) to write a simple letter stating that the attached are the official school documents for this student.
- Diplomas: A Georgia notary public may make a certified copy of the original diploma. The notary must state that this is a “true and exact copy of the original” and the Apostille is affixed to the photocopy.
All other documents: (examples: powers of attorney, affidavits, etc.) must be properly notarized in accordance with Georgia laws. Photocopied documents Must properly certified as a copy by a Georgia notary public.
Foreign Language Documents: Documents in foreign language can be Apostilled as long as the Notarial wording is in English.