Documents must be complete before notarization. I cannot notarize documents with blank spaces or missing information.

Q: Can a notary complete Form I-9 for my remote employee?
A: Yes! A notary public can serve as your authorized representative to complete Section 2 of Form I-9. However, they are NOT notarizing the form—they're simply acting on your behalf to review documents and complete the employer section. The Notaryous LLC is an experienced Oregon notary who specializes in I-9 verification services.

Q: How quickly can you verify my remote employee's I-9?
A: We offer same-day and next-day appointments throughout the Portland metro area. For the 3-business-day USCIS requirement, we ensure timely completion and return of your employee's Form I-9.

Q: What documents does my employee need for I-9 verification?
A: Employees must present unexpired original documents from the USCIS Lists of Acceptable Documents: one List A document (like a U.S. Passport) OR one List B document (like a driver's license) plus one List C document (like a Social Security card).

Q: Do you serve remote employees outside Portland?
A: Yes! We provide mobile I-9 verification throughout Oregon. Contact us for availability in your employee's area.

Q: How much does I-9 verification cost?
A: Our I-9 verification services start at $50-150 ($100 travel fee applies to all mobile appointments). Contact us for pricing on multiple employees or recurring needs.

Q: Are you E-Verify compatible?
A: Absolutely. All forms are completed accurately and ready for immediate E-Verify submission.

Q: What if my employee is in Washington?
A: As a dually-commissioned notary in Oregon AND Washington, we can verify I-9s for employees in both states.

WHAT IS AN APOSTILLE?

Q: What exactly is an apostille? A: An apostille is an official certificate that authenticates the origin of a public document for use in foreign countries. It's issued under the Hague Convention of 1961 and verifies the signature, seal, or stamp on your document so it will be recognized internationally. Think of it as an international "stamp of approval" that proves your U.S. document is legitimate.

Q: How is an apostille different from regular notarization? A: Regular notarization verifies your identity and that you signed a document willingly. An apostille takes it a step further—it certifies that the notary's signature and seal are authentic for international use. You typically need both: first the document is notarized, then it receives an apostille for foreign recognition.

Q: What does an apostille look like? A: An apostille is usually a separate certificate attached to your document or printed on the back. It includes:

The country issuing it (United States)

The name of the person who signed the document

The capacity in which they signed

The seal or stamp used

The place and date of certification

The issuing authority's information

A unique certification number

WHO NEEDS AN APOSTILLE?

Q: When do I need an apostille? A: You need an apostille when a foreign country requires proof that your U.S. document is authentic. Common situations include:

Teaching abroad (background checks, diplomas, transcripts)

Dual citizenship applications (birth certificates, marriage certificates)

International adoption (home study reports, financial documents)

Working overseas (diplomas, employment contracts, professional licenses)

Foreign business transactions (articles of incorporation, power of attorney)

Getting married abroad (affidavit of single status, divorce decrees)

Foreign real estate purchases (power of attorney, contracts)

International legal matters (court documents, affidavits)

Q: Do all countries accept apostilles? A: No. Only the 120+ countries that are members of the Hague Convention accept apostilles. These include most of Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Australia. For non-Hague countries (like Canada, most Middle Eastern nations), you need consular attestation or embassy legalization instead—we handle both processes.

Q: How do I know if the country I'm dealing with accepts apostilles? A: Check the official Hague Conference website or contact the foreign authority requesting your documents. When you work with us, we'll verify whether you need an apostille or embassy legalization based on your destination country.

TYPES OF APOSTILLES

Q: What types of apostille services do you offer? A: We handle all types of apostilles starting at $250:

State Apostille (Oregon Secretary of State):

Birth certificates

Death certificates

Marriage certificates

Divorce decrees

Notarized documents

Court documents from state courts

School diplomas and transcripts (public schools)

Professional licenses

Corporate documents

FBI Apostille (U.S. Department of State):

FBI background checks (Identity History Summary)

Required for teaching abroad, immigration, employment

We offer FBI fingerprinting services!

Federal Apostille (U.S. Department of State):

Federal court documents

Documents from federal agencies

Patents and trademarks

Certificates from U.S. Customs

Some military documents

Electronic Apostille:

For digitally notarized documents

Faster processing for eligible documents

Consular Attestation:

For non-Hague Convention countries

Additional authentication through embassies

Embassy Legalization:

Complete chain of authentication

For countries that don't accept apostilles

Longer processing time but we handle everything

Q: What is an FBI apostille and why is it so common? A: An FBI apostille is specifically for FBI background checks (Identity History Summary). This is the most requested apostille for:

Teaching English abroad (South Korea, Japan, China, UAE)

International employment

Immigration applications

Dual citizenship processes

The complete process:

FBI fingerprinting (we offer live scan fingerprinting starting at $55!)

Submit fingerprints to FBI

Receive FBI background check (3-5 days)

Send to U.S. Department of State for apostille

Processing time: 4-6 weeks total

We can coordinate the entire FBI apostille process from fingerprinting to final delivery!

THE APOSTILLE PROCESS

Q: What's the step-by-step process to get an apostille? A: Here's how we handle it for you:

For Notarized Documents:

Document Creation - You provide your document

Notarization - We notarize with proper certification wording for apostille

Apostille Submission - We submit to Oregon Secretary of State or federal agency

Processing - Government processes (timelines vary by type)

Return - We deliver your apostilled document securely

For Certified Copies (birth certificates, diplomas, etc.):

Obtain Certified Copy - We guide you on getting official copies

Review - We verify document is apostille-ready

Submission - We submit to appropriate authority

Processing & Return - We track and return completed documents

For FBI Background Checks:

Fingerprinting - Get live scan fingerprinting at our office

FBI Processing - We submit to FBI (3-5 days for results)

State Department Apostille - We coordinate federal apostille (4-6 weeks)

Complete Package - You receive FBI check with apostille attached

Q: How long does the apostille process take? A: Processing times vary by type:

Oregon State Apostille (Standard): 10-15 business days

Oregon State Apostille (Expedited): 24-48 hours

FBI Apostille: 10 -15 business days (federal processing timeline)

Electronic Apostille: 3-5 business days

Embassy Legalization: 6-12 weeks (for non-Hague countries)

Our service includes handling all submissions, tracking, and coordination, so you save time and avoid errors.

Q: Can I get an apostille the same day? A: For Oregon state documents, yes—with expedited processing and hand-delivery to the Secretary of State in Salem. We offer rush service packages for urgent situations. FBI apostilles cannot be same-day due to federal processing requirements.

Q: Do I need to be present for the apostille process? A: No! That's why you hire us. We handle everything:

Pick up your documents (or you mail them to us)

Prepare and submit to appropriate agency

Track processing status

Return completed documents securely

You never have to drive to Salem or deal with government offices.

COSTS AND PRICING

Q: How much does an apostille cost? A: Our apostille services start at $250, which includes our expertise in navigating the entire process from start to finish.

What's Included in Our Service:

Complete document review and preparation

Notarization services (if required)

Submission to appropriate state or federal agency

Payment of all government processing fees

Status tracking and updates

Guidance on foreign country requirements

Secure handling and return of your documents

Government Processing Fees (paid separately and vary by agency):

Q: What types of apostille services do you offer? A: We handle all types of apostilles:

✓ State Apostille - For Oregon-issued documents (birth certificates, marriage certificates, diplomas, notarized documents)

✓ FBI Apostille - For federal background checks (popular for teaching abroad)

✓ Federal Apostille - For federal agency documents

✓ Electronic Apostille - For digitally notarized documents

✓ Consular Attestation - For non-Hague Convention countries

✓ Embassy Legalization - Complete chain of authentication for countries that don't accept apostilles

Teaching Abroad Package:

FBI fingerprinting

FBI background check apostille

Diploma/transcript apostille

TEFL/teaching certificate apostille

Dual Citizenship Package:

Birth certificate apostille

Marriage certificate apostille

Background check coordination

Additional vital records as needed

Adoption Package:

Home study apostille

Financial document apostilles

Background check apostilles

Marriage/birth certificate apostilles

Business/Legal Package:

Corporate document apostilles

Power of attorney apostilles

Contract authentication

Multiple document coordination

Contact us at (503) 489-8519 for a custom quote based on your exact requirements.

Q: What payment methods do you accept? A: We accept:

Credit/debit cards

Zelle

Venmo

Cash (for in-person services)

DOCUMENTS THAT CAN BE APOSTILLED

Q: What types of documents can receive an apostille? A: Any public document issued by a U.S. authority can be apostilled:

Vital Records:

Birth certificates (certified copies)

Death certificates

Marriage certificates

Divorce decrees

Name change orders

Educational Documents:

High school diplomas

College degrees

Transcripts

GED certificates

Professional certifications

Legal Documents:

Powers of attorney

Affidavits

Court orders

Adoption decrees

Custody agreements

Probate documents

Business Documents:

Articles of incorporation

Operating agreements

Corporate certificates

Trademark registrations

Background Checks:

FBI Identity History Summary

State criminal background checks

Child abuse clearances

Q: Can private documents be apostilled? A: Not directly. Private documents (personal letters, contracts between individuals, bank statements) must first be notarized, which makes them public documents. Then the notarization can be apostilled. We handle both the notarization and apostille process for you.

Q: What if my document is from another state? A: Documents must be apostilled in the state where they were issued:

California birth certificate → California apostille

Oregon notarized document → Oregon apostille

FBI background check → Federal apostille (Washington D.C.)

We can coordinate apostilles from other states and the federal government—we're not limited to Oregon only.

COMMON ISSUES AND SOLUTIONS

Q: What if my document has errors? A: Documents must be error-free before apostille. If we notice errors during review:

Misspelled names

Wrong dates

Missing signatures

Incorrect notary wording

We'll alert you immediately so you can get corrections made. An apostille cannot fix document errors—it only certifies what's already there.

Q: My country is asking for "legalization" not "apostille"—what's the difference? A: Legalization (also called consular attestation or embassy legalization) is for countries NOT in the Hague Convention (like Canada, UAE, China). The process is:

Document is notarized

State authentication (similar to apostille)

U.S. Department of State authentication

Embassy/consulate legalization

This takes longer (6-12 weeks) and costs more. We handle the entire chain of custody for embassy legalization.

Q: What if the foreign country rejects my apostille? A: This rarely happens if done correctly. Common rejection reasons:

Wrong type of apostille (state vs. federal)

Document not properly notarized first

Translation needed (apostille doesn't translate the content)

Wrong country procedure followed

We prevent these issues by:

Verifying requirements before processing

Using proper notarization formats

Coordinating with translation services if needed

Following destination country specifications

Q: Do I need my documents translated? A: The apostille itself is in English, but many countries require certified translation of the underlying document into their language. Translation must happen AFTER the apostille is attached. We work with certified translators and can coordinate:

Notarization (if needed)

Apostille

Certified translation

Complete package delivery

SPECIAL SITUATIONS

Q: I'm teaching in South Korea/China/Japan—what do I need?

South Korea (Hague member - accepts apostilles):

FBI background check with federal apostille

Diploma apostille (from state where degree was issued)

Timeline: 6-8 weeks total

We can handle the complete package!

China (NOT Hague member - needs embassy legalization):

FBI background check → Chinese consulate legalization

Diploma → Chinese consulate legalization

Timeline: 8-12 weeks

More complex process - we coordinate everything

Japan (Hague member - accepts apostilles):

Apostille on all required documents

Timeline: 6-8 weeks

Straightforward process

We specialize in education sector requirements and know exactly what each country's schools need.

Q: Can you apostille documents for adoption? A: Absolutely! International adoption requires extensive apostilles:

Home study reports

Financial statements

Employment verification

Medical records

Marriage certificates

Birth certificates

Background checks

We offer Adoption Packages starting at $250 that handle multiple documents together, ensuring consistency and faster processing.

Q: I need an apostille for foreign real estate purchase—can you help? A: Yes! Common documents for foreign property purchases:

Power of Attorney (notarized then apostilled)

Proof of identity (passport copy, certified and apostilled)

Financial documents

Marital status affidavit

We'll work with you to ensure all documents meet the foreign country's specific requirements.

Q: What about military documents? A: Military documents can be tricky:

DD-214 (discharge papers): Usually requires state apostille

Federal military documents: Require federal apostille

Military birth certificates: Depends on issuing authority

We'll review your specific documents and determine the correct process.

WORKING WITH THE NOTARYOUS LLC

Q: Why should I use your apostille service instead of doing it myself? A: DIY apostilles are possible, but challenging:

Doing It Yourself:

❌ Drive to Salem, OR (Secretary of State office - 1 hour from Portland)

❌ Wait in line during business hours only

❌ Risk rejection if documents aren't prepared correctly

❌ Multiple trips if something's wrong

❌ Research complex requirements for each country

❌ 2-3 week standard processing time

❌ Pay all fees separately with cash/check only

Using Our Service (Starting at $250):

✅ We come to you or you mail documents

✅ We handle all submissions and government offices

✅ Documents reviewed for accuracy before submission

✅ Expedited options available

✅ We know all the requirements for 120+ countries

✅ Faster turnaround with our expertise

✅ One-stop shop: notarization + apostille + fingerprinting

✅ COBID-certified woman-owned business

Q: How do I get started? A: Three easy ways:

📞 Call/Text: (503) 489-8519 (fastest response)
🌐 Book Online: www.thenotaryousllc.com/schedule
📧 Email: shavon@thenotaryousllc.com

Office: 20001 SW Tualatin Valley Highway, Beaverton, OR 97003
Hours: Monday-Sunday, 8AM-8PM

Walk-ins welcome (call ahead to confirm availability)

We'll discuss:

What country you're using documents in

What documents you need apostilled

Timeline requirements

Pricing and package options

Next steps

Q: What information do you need from me? A: To provide an accurate quote and timeline:

Destination country (where documents will be used)

Document types (birth certificate, diploma, FBI check, etc.)

How many documents need apostilles

Urgency (standard or expedited)

Current status (do you have documents, or do we need to help obtain them?)

Q: Can you handle rush situations? A: Yes! We offer expedited service for urgent situations:

24-48 hour turnaround for Oregon state documents

Hand-delivery to Secretary of State in Salem

Coordination with federal agencies for fastest possible processing

Weekend/evening availability for document pickup/delivery

We've helped teachers accept last-minute job offers abroad and families complete time-sensitive adoptions!

Q: What if I'm not in the Portland area? A: No problem! We serve clients nationwide:

Mail-in service - Send documents via FedEx/USPS

Phone/video consultations - Review documents remotely

Secure return shipping - Documents returned safely via insured mail

National coordination - We handle out-of-state and federal apostilles from anywhere

Q: How do I know my documents are safe with you? A: Document security is our top priority:

✓ NNA certified and background-screened notary

✓ Professional liability insurance

✓ Secure document tracking system

✓ Locked storage during processing

✓ Certified mail/FedEx for all returns

✓ COBID-certified business with verified credentials

✓ Years of experience with sensitive documents

AFTER YOU GET YOUR APOSTILLE

Q: How long is an apostille valid? A: Apostilles themselves don't technically expire, BUT:

The underlying document may have validity requirements

Some countries require documents issued within the last 3-6 months

Background checks are typically valid for 6-12 months

Educational documents usually don't expire

Always check your destination country's requirements. We'll advise you during consultation.

Q: What do I do with my apostilled documents? A: Once you receive apostilled documents:

Make copies (keep originals in safe place)

Don't separate the apostille from the document

Get certified translation if required (after apostille is attached)

Submit to foreign authority as directed

Keep digital scans for your records

Q: Can I laminate my apostilled documents? A: NEVER laminate apostilled documents! Many countries will reject laminated documents because they can't verify the apostille seal is authentic. Use protective sleeves or folders instead.

Q: What if I need more copies later? A: Each apostille is for ONE document. If you need multiple apostilled copies:

Get multiple certified copies from the issuing agency first

Each copy must be apostilled separately

Services:

State Apostille (from $250)

FBI Apostille (from $250)

Federal Apostille (from $250)

Electronic Apostille (from $250)

Consular Attestation (from $250)

Embassy Legalization (from $250)

FBI Fingerprinting (starting $55)

Mobile Notary (from $100)

Remote Online Notary (from $45)

Serving: Portland Metro | Beaverton | Hillsboro | Tigard | Lake Oswego | Salem | Clackamas| Columbia | Vancouver WA | Clients Nationwide

We make international document authentication simple, fast, and stress-free. Let us handle the paperwork so you can focus on your international adventure!

QUICK REFERENCE CHECKLIST

Before contacting us, gather:

[ ] Destination country (where documents will be used)

[ ] List of documents needing apostille

[ ] Current status (have documents or need to obtain them)

[ ] Your timeline/urgency

[ ] Any specific requirements from the foreign authority

Common apostille timelines:

Oregon State (standard): 10-15 business days

Oregon State (expedited): 24-48 hours

FBI Apostille: 4-6 weeks

Electronic Apostille: 3-5 business days

Embassy Legalization: 6-12 weeks

Don't forget:

Get certified copies if you need multiple apostilled documents

Translation happens AFTER apostille (if needed)

Never laminate apostilled documents

Keep digital scans of everything

Call us today: (503) 489-8519

Making your documents internationally recognized, one apostille at a time!