If someone told you that you needed Apostille documents for a big move, you might have been a little confused. Maybe even a little bit of worry. But don’t worry, you’re not alone. An Apostille makes a document legal in the eyes of foreign authority, even though the name sounds fancy. The Hague Convention of 1961 has been signed by more than 120 countries, and they will all accept this stamp or certificate – click here for helpful resources!
So, when would you need one? An Apostille is frequently needed if you are traveling or moving for work, school, marriage, or even to buy property abroad. This is because an authority in your own country must check official documents like birth certificates, marriage licenses, degrees, or criminal histories before another country would accept them. There are no exceptions to the regulations, whether you’re going to Greece to be married or Spain to learn English.
The process starts with the original document. Not a photocopy from your cousin’s desk that has coffee stains on it; an original is a copy that has been confirmed and has a live signature or seal. Then look for the right government agency. The U.S. Department of State, for example, is in charge of federal records, while the Secretary of State is in charge of state records. Each country is different, therefore it’s best to check twice.
Once you send your file, it is checked. The Apostille certificate should attach if everything goes as planned. This is your ticket to get your documentation accepted almost anywhere in the world, not only in the United States. Processing times might be short or long, depending on the time of year. For example, during the school application or travel season, you might get stuck in a bureaucratic slow lane.
One piece of advice is to check if the country you are leaving is a member of the Hague Convention. If not, you will probably need “legalization,” which is a more difficult process that involves consulates and embassies. Apostille cuts down on a lot of the red tape for Hague countries, but for countries outside of that group, the restrictions keep adding significantly.