An increasing number of Ukrainians living abroad face the need to prepare documents in the United States for use in Ukraine. However, even notarized documents are often not accepted by Ukrainian institutions. Nadiia Hryb explains that the reason lies in the fundamental differences between the legal systems of the two countries.
According to her, in Ukraine a notary acts as a legal professional who verifies the content of a document and its compliance with the law, while in the United States a notary only confirms the identity of the signer and the fact of signing. That is why, for Ukrainian authorities, not only notarization matters, but also the proper legal drafting of the document.
One of the most common mistakes is the belief that a stamp alone is sufficient. In reality, Ukrainians often confuse document types, use online templates without considering Ukrainian legal requirements, or obtain incomplete notarization. Another widespread issue is the absence of an apostille or an incorrect sequence in the document preparation process.
An apostille is a key element in international document circulation between Ukraine and the United States, as both countries are parties to the Hague Convention. This certification confirms the authority of the notary at the international level. Without it, a document may not be accepted or may require additional procedures.
The expert emphasizes that proper document preparation follows a clear algorithm. First, the document is drafted in accordance with Ukrainian legal requirements, then notarized in the United States, after which an apostille is obtained, and only then is the document translated and notarized in Ukraine.
According to the notary, the main issue is not the complexity of procedures, but a lack of understanding of the differences between legal systems. In international document exchange, what matters most is not the presence of a stamp, but a properly structured legal process.
Company name: NADINNOTARY LLC
Website: https://nadiiagryb.com
Phone: +1 813 724 7263
Email: nadinnotar@gmail.com
