Your questions, our answers
At Gray Signature Services, we pride ourselves on clear communication and making complex processes easy to understand. Here, you'll find answers to the most common questions about our notary and apostille facilitation services. Our goal is to ensure your experience is smooth and stress-free from start to finish.
Frequently asked questions
Gray Signature Services is dedicated to providing professional, precise, and reliable notary and document facilitation. We're a commissioned Notary Public in Illinois, offering comprehensive services for individuals and businesses. Our commitment to accuracy, discretion, and efficiency is at the heart of everything we do, especially for time-sensitive and legally significant documents.
What countries are considered Hague countries?
Hague countries are nations that are signatories to The Hague Apostille Convention. This international treaty simplifies the legalization of documents for use in other member countries. For a full, up-to-date list, you can refer to the official Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) website.
What's the difference between apostille vs. authentication?
An apostille is a certification issued by a state or federal authority that authenticates the seals and signatures of officials on public documents (like birth certificates, court orders, or diplomas) for use in Hague Convention member countries. Authentication, also known as legalization, is a more complex process required for documents destined for non-Hague Convention countries, often involving multiple steps, including state certification, federal authentication, and embassy/consulate legalization.
Do my documents also need to be notarized?
Often, yes. For a document to receive an apostille or authentication, it first needs to be properly notarized by a commissioned notary public. This notarization verifies the signature of the document signer. We can guide you on which specific documents require notarization as part of the apostille or authentication process.
What are some documents that commonly need apostille facilitation?
Many types of documents frequently require apostille facilitation, especially for international use. These include birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, diplomas, transcripts, corporate documents (e.g., articles of incorporation), powers of attorney, affidavits, and court documents. If your document is intended for use outside the U.S., it's highly probable it will need an apostille or authentication.
What should I know or bring to ensure my appointment goes smoothly?
For Apostille or Authentication Facilitation, please grab our intake form. This will help us gather all necessary information to guide you efficiently through the process. For general notary services, loan signings, or estate planning, clients typically provide their own documents. Always bring a valid, government-issued photo ID. Ensuring your documents are complete and unsigned (if they require notarization of your signature) before arrival will help expedite the process.
Besides meeting in person, how else can Gray Signature Services help me get my documents notarized or apostilled?
We offer flexible service options to meet your needs. You can visit our office in Oak Lawn, Illinois, or we can provide mobile notary services and come to your preferred location in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. Additionally, we offer online remote notarization for eligible documents, allowing you to complete the process conveniently from anywhere.
What's the most important reason someone should choose Gray Signature Services?
Choosing Gray Signature Services means choosing a notary public who is unequivocally customer service-focused, reliable, professional, and precise. It's our primary goal and ambition to make your notary or apostille process as smooth and straightforward as possible, ensuring accuracy and peace of mind every step of the way. We handle your important documents with the care and attention they deserve.
Need more answers?
We're here to help clarify any questions you may have about notary, apostille, or authentication services. Our team is committed to providing the information and support you need to confidently move forward with your documents. Let's ensure your process is seamless and compliant.