Hague Apostille

What the apostille is, which documents can be apostilled and in what order it goes with the translation.

Can you get my document apostilled?

Yes, through our sister service Roxo Apostille, which handles review, filing and logistics. The apostille itself is always issued by the authority of the country that issued the document. We do not handle federal documents (such as FBI records) or consular legalization.

What is an apostille?

An apostille is a standardized certificate, created by the 1961 Hague Convention, that authenticates the origin of a public document: the signature, position and seal of whoever issued it. It does not validate the content. It is accepted in the 120+ countries that are party to the Convention.

What is the difference between an apostille and a notarization?

A notarization is a Notary Public confirming the identity of whoever signed a document. An apostille is issued by a government authority and authenticates the signature and seal of a public official, so the document is accepted in another Hague Convention country. A private document is often notarized first and then apostilled.

Should I apostille the document before or after the translation?

It depends on the case. The document can be apostilled first and then translated, so the translation also covers the apostille, or translated first and apostilled afterwards. The receiving agency defines the order, so tell us the destination country and agency and we confirm before quoting.

Do I apostille the translation, the original, or both?

Usually the original, and some destinations, such as France, also require the sworn translation to be apostilled. An apostille on the translation alone only proves the translator's signature and is often refused. Ask the receiving agency which it requires.

Does USCIS require an apostille?

No. USCIS requires a certified translation, not an apostille. Apostilling a document for US immigration is an expense with no function. If another agency in your process asks for an apostille, tell us which one.

My Brazilian certificate is on paper or old. Can it be apostilled?

Yes. Through a partner cartório, a new digital copy of civil registry certificates can be issued from any Brazilian registry and apostilled electronically, with no need to go in person. A recent copy also meets agencies that require recently issued certificates.

Can you get a new copy (segunda via) of my Brazilian birth certificate?

Yes. Through a partner cartório, a new digital copy of birth, marriage and death certificates can be issued from any Brazilian registry, with no need to go in person, and apostilled electronically if needed. A recent copy also meets agencies that require recently issued certificates. Send us the details and you receive an itemized quote.

How much does an apostille cost?

It depends on the document and the route. Send a scan and you receive an itemized quote: the official fee, passed on at cost, the service fee and logistics, listed separately so you can see what goes to the government.

Can I apostille a Brazilian document in the United States?

No. A document is apostilled only in the country that issued it: Brazilian documents in Brazil, by a cartório authorized by the CNJ, and US documents by the Secretary of State of the issuing state. Brazilian apostilles are electronic, so you do not need to travel.

Which documents can be apostilled?

Public documents: birth, marriage and death certificates, diplomas and transcripts, court decisions, company records and criminal records. Private documents, such as a power of attorney, can be apostilled after notarization. A plain photocopy cannot.

Is an apostille valid in every country?

Only in countries that are party to the Hague Apostille Convention. For other countries the route is consular legalization, which we do not offer today. Tell us the destination country and we confirm.

What is the difference between an apostille and consular legalization?

Both authenticate a document for use abroad. The apostille is a single certificate, valid among the countries of the Hague Convention. Consular legalization is the longer route for countries outside it, done through the destination country’s consulate. We handle apostilles; consular legalization is not offered today.

Does an apostille expire?

The apostille itself does not expire, but the document under it may. Many agencies only accept certificates issued recently. The receiving agency sets that rule, so check its requirements before ordering.

Can a notarized copy of my US certificate be apostilled?

Usually not. US states apostille the certified copy issued by the vital records office itself. A notarized photocopy is the most common reason for refusal, so request a certified copy from the issuing state first.

How do I apostille a US birth certificate?

Request a certified copy from the vital records office of the state where you were born, then have it apostilled by that state’s Secretary of State. Roxo Apostille can handle the filing and logistics. If it will be used abroad, we confirm with you whether the translation comes before or after the apostille.

Can you apostille an FBI background check?

No. FBI records are federal documents, apostilled only by the US Department of State, and we do not handle federal documents. Once the apostille is done, we can translate the record and the apostille as a certified or sworn translation.

How long does an apostille take?

There are two clocks: ours, for review and filing, and the issuing authority's, which we do not control. Both appear separately in your quote.

I am applying for Italian or Portuguese citizenship. What do I need?

Usually your Brazilian certificates apostilled in Brazil and translated into the country's language. The consulate or municipality defines the list and how recent each certificate must be. Send us their list and we build the complete order.

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