An apostille is often an important requirement for submitting documents to a foreign government. An apostille essentially proves the document is authentic, and is mutually accepted between member countries of the 1961 Hague Convention. In today’s article, we will discuss what an apostille is and how to obtain one.
An apostille is typically a one-page document that is affixed to documents issued by a state or country. In effect, it authenticates the signature of the official who signed the document. The only competent authority that can issue an apostille is the Department of State of the issuing state or country. For example, a Florida birth certificate must be apostilled by the State of Florida. In the case of federal documents, such as FBI background checks, they must be apostilled by the U.S. Department of State.
Each state and country has its own guidelines for applying for an apostille. Most states have a mail-in process, and many states also accept walk-ins or have appointments for faster service. Once the apostille has been obtained, the document is then valid for submitting to a foreign consulate or country that is a member of The Hague Convention, provided all translation requirements are subsequently followed.
It is important to note that not all countries are part of the 1961 Hague Convention, and therefore, not all countries issue apostilles. Cuba, for example, is one such country. Documents from Cuba typically require authentication from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX).
At CSH Translation, we are accustomed to translating apostilles from many different countries used for different purposes. For a free quote, please contact us at info@cshtranslation.com