What is an Apostille and When Do You Need to Apostille a Document to be used Abroad?

If you’ve ever had to submit documents in another country, you’ve probably heard of an "apostille." An apostille is a key process used to validate official documents between countries that are part of the Hague Convention, allowing for international recognition without the need for additional legalization.

What is an Apostille?

An apostille is a certification issued by a competent authority that verifies the authenticity of the signature and the capacity in which an official has signed a public document. This process is necessary when a document issued in one country must be used in another country that is also part of the Hague Convention. Thanks to the apostille, documents can be legally recognized abroad without the need to go through various bureaucratic procedures.

Apostilles for Foreign Documents to be Used in Mexico

If you’ve brought foreign documents to Mexico and need to use them here, they will also require an apostille from the country where they were issued. For example, foreign birth certificates, academic degrees, or contracts signed abroad must be apostilled to be legally valid in Mexico.

It’s important to verify whether the country where your documents originated is part of the Hague Convention. If not, the legalization process will be different and may require a series of verifications by various authorities.

In the case of the U.S., apostilles are issued in the state where the original document was issued. For example, if your document was issued in the state of California, the Secretary of State of California would issue the apostille for your document.

How Can We Help at Pragma Traducciones?

At Pragma Traducciones,  we understand the importance of correctly apostilled documents, whether they are foreign or domestic. In addition to offering certified translation services, we guide you through the apostille process to ensure your documents meet all the legal requirements, both in Mexico and abroad.

If you need help with the apostille process or with the certified translation of an apostilled document, contact us. We are here to make sure the process is quick and hassle-free.