Obtaining a Department of State apostille means you have the tools to ensure your more important documents will work for you, wherever you are. For some people, this involves official documents like marriage, birth, or death certificates. For others, it might mean legal paperwork entitling them to power of attorney or other privileges. Regardless, ensuring that the documents are useable in your new location is imperative for working, studying, or even living there.
Not sure what it takes to get a Department of State apostille? Here are the steps you will need to follow:
Identify and Prepare Your Documents
Which documents does your new situation require? These might include birth, death, or marriage certificates. It may include legal documents, or academic records. Many types of paperwork may be required, and some of them will require notarization – authentication by a notary public.
Once you have identified the types of papers you need, gather the originals and have high-quality copies made. This can help reduce the risk of loss through damage or other issues. It also means you can always have a copy of the document with you, as well as waiting at your destination or back home in your original country.
Local Certification
The local certification of your documents will vary depending on your home country and your destination. In the United States, this might include having certification at the state level, whereas other nations might require province or city-state certification. Check with your relevant nations to find out which certifications you need before moving on to the apostille itself.
Apostille from the Department of State
Lastly, it is time for the apostille itself. This involves sending the document on to the national level, generally the Department of State. There, it will receive the seal of apostille, making it useful in the destination country. From there, it will be sent back to the original owner, ready for use.
This process can take anywhere from several weeks to several months, so be sure to start quickly. Giving yourself the most time possible will streamline the process and make it less stressful. For more information visit their website at Usauthentication.com.
