When people ask me about translating their certificates, they’re almost always curious about apostilles. Every American document which is to be used abroad needs an apostille- it’s another sheet of paper stapled onto your document which basically authorizes international use. In this post I’ll detail what an apostille really is, why it’s so important and if you need it translated.
What is an apostille?
An apostille, in the bureaucratic sense of the word, is a type of exemplary note for another document. Since the 1961 Hague Convention, apostilles have been used to legalize documents for use in other countries. Documents that have been signed by a notary public (or take the formal certification from a specific city or state) may be affixed with an apostille and are then ready for international use in all of the countries which signed the Hague Convention.
Sometimes getting an apostille is a complex (but not difficult) process. When I had to get my documents from New York City, I had to visit three offices. The first for the actual certificates, the second for the certification of the notary in that specific borough and then the apostille office. In most U.S. states, a person obtains an original copy of a record and then forwards it to the State department for the apostille. Apostilles usually don’t cost a lot of money. At the time of this article’s publishing, they cost $10 each in New York City.
In countries which didn’t sign the 1961 convention (and therefore don’t have a means to recognize the apostille), foreign documents are legalized by consular officers where the document was issued. Instead of an apostille, they are affixed with a Certificate of Authentication.
Do I have to translate the apostille?
When I went for my Italian citizenship, the apostilles (along with federal naturalization certificates) were the only documents not needing translation. Apostilles usually follow a template and are all worded similarly save for the information contained therein which is different according to each document.
I didn’t translate my apostilles, but Italian consular rules are ever changing and it is advisable to check with a consular officer beforehand. The general rule still is, to the best of my knowledge, that they are not to be translated, but to be sure I would advise checking in. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
One last note: one of my recent clients had to translate his apostilles for the Chicago consulate.
