FINAL BILL REPORT

SB 6491

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

C 23 L 16 E1

FULL VETO

VETO OVERRIDE

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Concerning apostille or other signature or attestation services by the secretary of state.

Sponsors: Senators Pedersen and Roach; by request of Secretary of State.

Senate Committee on Government Operations & Security

House Committee on State Government

Background: The Office of the Secretary of State provides apostille services to U.S. citizens and foreign nationals who wish to authenticate documents for use in foreign countries that are parties to the Hague Convention of 1961. An apostille is a certificate that authenticates the origin of a public or personal document, such as vital records, business entity records, and school or university records. To obtain an apostille, a person must submit a certified or notarized document to be authenticated, accompanied by a request form indicating the country where the document will be used and a minimal service fee.

Uncertified documents must be notarized before obtaining an apostille. Documents are notarized by an appointed notary public, who may take an acknowledgment, administer an oath or affirmation, witness or attest to a signature, or certify a copy of a document. A notarial act made by a notary public must be evidenced by a signed and dated certificate, accompanied by the notary's jurisdiction, title, and official stamp.

Summary: The Secretary of State may attest to the authenticity of the signature of a public official within the state of Washington, and may also attest to or certify the signature of a notary public.

The Secretary of State may not certify or attest to the signature of a notary public on a document:

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate

49

0

House

95

2

Votes on Veto Override:

First Special Session

Senate

41

0

House

87

7

Effective:

June 28, 2016