DOCUMENT APOSTILLE GUIDE
Alabama Translation Apostille Requirements
Learn how to prepare your document for apostille processing, including applicable notarization requirements, required certifications, and important submission guidelines.
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Preparation Requirements
Identify the Translation Requirements
Determine whether the receiving country requires a translated document, a certified translation, a notarized translation, or an apostille on the translator's notarized certification.
These are different requirements and should be confirmed before preparing the documents.
Prepare the Original Document
Obtain the original document or an acceptable certified copy from the appropriate issuing authority.
The original document may require its own apostille, depending on the receiving country's requirements.
Foreign-Language Documents
The Alabama Secretary of State requires documents written in a foreign language to be accompanied by a notarized English translation when presented for Alabama authentication.
Obtain an Accurate Translation
Have the document translated accurately and completely into the required language.
Names, dates, seals, signatures, and other relevant information should be represented appropriately in the translation.
Translator Certification Statement
When a certified translation is required, the translator should provide a signed statement identifying the document and certifying the accuracy and completeness of the translation.
The statement should identify the translator and the languages involved.
Alabama Notarization
When the translation certification itself requires an Alabama apostille, the translator's declaration should be properly notarized by a currently commissioned Alabama notary public.
The notarial certificate must contain the notary's original signature and official embossed or ink-stamped seal.
Original Document and Translation
The original document and its translation may require separate apostilles.
Confirm which documents the receiving country requires to be authenticated.
Translation After Apostille
Some receiving authorities require the original document to be apostilled first, followed by translation of both the document and the attached apostille.
The correct sequence depends on the destination country's requirements.
Important Information
A notarized translation does not automatically replace an apostille required on the original document.
National Apostille Center can review your documents and destination-country requirements to help determine the appropriate preparation procedure.
Required Certification
Translator Certification
A certified translation should include a signed statement from the translator confirming the accuracy and completeness of the translation.
The certification should identify the document and the languages involved.
Alabama Notary Public
For a translation certification requiring an Alabama apostille, an appropriate translator declaration must be notarized by a currently commissioned Alabama notary public.
Original Notarial Signature and Seal
The notarization must contain the Alabama notary's original signature and official embossed or ink-stamped seal.
Proper Notarial Certificate
The notarial certificate must be completed correctly and reflect the notarial act performed.
The notary verifies the signer's identity or administers the applicable oath or affirmation. The notary does not independently verify the accuracy of the translation.
Foreign-Language Document Requirement
Alabama requires a notarized English translation to accompany a foreign-language document presented for state authentication.
Separate Document Authentication
An apostille issued for a notarized translator declaration authenticates the notary's signature, seal, and official capacity.
It does not independently authenticate the original underlying document or certify the accuracy of the translation.
County Authentication
Additional county authentication of an Alabama notary's commission is generally not required for an apostille.
For notarized documents requiring certification for a non-Hague country, Alabama requires additional county authentication of the notary's commission.
Apostille Issuing Authority
Alabama Secretary of State — Authentication Division.
Important Notice
The receiving country determines whether it accepts a notarized translation, requires a sworn or court-approved translator, or requires translation after the original document has been apostilled.