An Exemplification Certificate (also referred to as an exemplar) is a document issued by a government entity that serves as an official confirmation of a particular act, event, or legal proceeding. It is an official document that confirms the accuracy and validity of a particular act, event, or legal proceeding, and serves as evidence of its existence. Exemplification Certificates are typically issued by government agencies, such as the Secretary of State or the Department of Vital Records, and are used in a variety of circumstances. There are two primary types of Exemplification Certificates: Apostles and Certificates of Authentication. An Apostle is a certification issued by the Secretary of State that certifies a public document for international use, while a Certificate of Authentication is a document signed by the Secretary of State to certify that a document is a true and accurate copy of the original.