Legalising signatures

Sometimes it is necessary to obtain a legalised signature on an official document, such as a power of attorney required for an international transaction. When a signature is legalised, the official (e.g. a notary) endorses the document with a signed statement to the effect that he has satisfied himself as to the identity of the person who signed the document. It should be noted that the legalisation of a signature provides no guarantee whatsoever of the authenticity of the document itself.

To establish whether the notary who legalises a signature is authorised to do so, it is also possible to request that his signature too be legalised. Sometimes this is done by a consulate and sometimes by the clerk of a District Court (arrondissementsrechtbank) in the Netherlands. This kind of legalisation, which is called an ‘apostille’, gives a better guarantee than legalisation since it not only confirms the authenticity of the signature but also the capacity of the official legalising the document and, if applicable, the authenticity of the stamps or seals.