CCA 1310032: An apostille authenticates a signature, not the document's contents

Plain-English summary

Chief Counsel explained that an apostille certifies the authenticity of a signature, the signer's capacity, and the seal or stamp, but does not certify the contents of the document. The advice stated that an apostille could be a viable alternative to certified copies or originals if the document was properly notarized and authenticated through the applicable Israeli process. The release also noted that the notary must certify the document rather than only the signature for the proposed use.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: What does an apostille authenticate, and when could it be used for the documents described?
• Outcome: Advice given, an apostille may authenticate the signature process but not the document's contents.
• Key authorities: Hague Convention on Apostille requirements

Full text (IRS public release)

ID: CCA_2012032717260912 Number: 201310032
Release Date: 3/8/2013
Office: ------------
UILC: 9999.00-00

From: ----------------------
Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2012 5:26:10 PM
To: -----------------
Cc: -----------------------------------------
Subject: FW: ------ - Hague Convention Apostille

The Convention applies only to public documents, and the sole function of the apostille
is to certify the authenticity of the signature (in this case the notary's) on the document.
So while the apostille is a valid form of authentication, the only thing being authenticated
in this case is the notary - not the document. To be eligible for an apostille, a document
must first be issued or certified by an officer recognized by the authority that will issue
the apostille. To exemplify the signature/document problem, in 2009 the Hague
Conference decided to amend the wording on the Apostille to make it clear that no one
was checking whether the document being attested was genuine or a fake. New
wording to be used includes the following language: "This Apostille only certifies the
signature, the capacity of the signer and the seal or stamp it bears. It does not certify
the content of the document for which it was issued." So in the present case, if the
notary is certifying the authenticity of the document (which I doubt) and that notary is
recognized by an apostille issuing authority, then the apostille would be a viable
alternative to the certified copies/originals route referred to in the email below.

To use the Apostille, the document(s) must first be notarized by an Israeli notary. [Here is the problem -
unless the notary is certifying the document (not the signature) then it cannot be used] Those wishing to
use a local notary for this service must contact them individually to see if they perform notaries. The
notarized document must then be authenticated by the Magistrate's Court. Documents affixed with the
apostille and the clerk's verification of the notary's signature using the above method, are just as
acceptable in the US as those notarized [certified?] by the US Embassy. [even a US notarized document
only attests to the signature - not the authenticity]

Hope this helps -