Where can I get a notarization?
Any public body that has an official seal can officially certify documents. These are, for example, public authorities (citizens' offices, district and municipal administrations, city administrations), churches organized under public law, notaries.
Schools and universities that have issued certificates may also certify them.
Certifications from the following bodies are not recognized (even if they have a seal): Lawyers, associations, auditors, accountants.
What does a correct official certification look like?
As shown in the sample below, the official certification must at least contain
- A note certifying that the copy/transcript corresponds to the original (certification note),
- the signature of the certifier and
- the imprint of the official seal. An official seal usually contains an emblem. A simple type stamp is not sufficient.
If the copy/transcript consists of several individual pages, it must be proven that each page originates from the same document. It is sufficient if only one page bears the certification endorsement and the signature, provided that all sheets are placed on top of each other (e.g. in a flaky manner), stapled and sealed in such a way that part of the official seal impression appears on each page (see illustration in the top left-hand section of the sample).
If the certification does not meet the above requirements, the document will not be recognized.
