The Importance of Document Authentication

Document authentication is an important step in preventing fraud, identity theft and forgery. The process of authenticating a document verifies its authenticity and ensures that it complies with certain established guidelines. It is commonly used for high-security documents and in situations where a person or company’s identity needs to be verified. Find out

Documents that are authenticated contain personal and confidential information, making them attractive targets for fraudsters. As a result, the authentication of documents is becoming increasingly important to reduce the risk of fraud and provide peace of mind that the document is genuine.

Authenticating an Original Document for Apostille Use

The document authentication process is generally done by a notary and involves presenting the original document, along with a certified copy of it, to the notary for verification. The notary will then sign the authentication certificate, which carries a seal of approval that certifies the authenticity of the original document. The notary may retain the certified copy of the document for archival and record-keeping purposes.

Authentication services may be provided by the Honorary Consulate General of Austria in New York, depending on what type of document you are seeking to have authenticated. There are three primary types of public documents that may be authenticated: private (individual or corporate) documents; state/county-issued documents; and federally-issued documents. Each type of document has different requirements for what type of authentication is needed, which can be found on the U.S. Department of State Authentication Office website.

The traditional document legalization process consists of a series of official authentications and can be time-consuming and costly. However, the 1961 Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents allows for a simplified certification known as an Apostille.