If you’ve been told you need an apostille for your documents, you might be wondering what that even means. An apostille is a certificate issued by the Missouri Secretary of State that verifies the authenticity of your document for use in another country. Whether you’re adopting internationally, studying abroad, or handling business overseas, this step ensures your paperwork is legally recognized outside the U.S.

• One of the most common questions clients ask is: “What’s the difference between an apostille and an authentication?” The short answer is: it depends on the country where your document will be used. Apostilles apply to Hague Convention countries, while authentications apply to non-Hague countries and usually involve multiple government offices. In this post, we’ll break down the key differences and what Missouri residents need to know.

• Driving to a bank or office just to find a notary can be inconvenient — and sometimes impossible when you’re dealing with urgent paperwork or mobility issues. That’s where mobile notaries come in. At Big River Notary, we travel to your home, office, hospital, or other location to make notarization easy and compliant. In this post, we’ll cover when it makes sense to hire a mobile notary and why so many Missouri residents rely on us.

• One of the most stressful parts of preparing documents for international use is the waiting game. Clients want to know: How long will it take to get my apostille back from Jefferson City? The answer depends on whether you choose standard mail, priority processing, or rush counter service. In this post, we’ll explain the timelines for each and how Big River Notary can help you avoid unnecessary delays.