Documents from Abroad: Apostille and Translation
Objectives
- Explain apostille requirements
- Describe official translation
- Advise on foreign documents
Explanation
Foreign public documents used in Costa Rica must be apostilled (Hague Convention) or legalised via consulate if the country is not a party. Documents not in Spanish require an official translation by a translator authorised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Costa Rican documents used abroad are apostilled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
official translation
A translation by an authorised sworn translator.
“The certificate needs an official translation.”
legalisation
Consular certification of a document's origin (for non-Hague countries).
“Legalisation takes longer than an apostille.”
Hague Convention
The 1961 treaty that created the apostille.
“Both countries are parties to the Hague Convention.”
issuing authority
The public body that issued a document.
“The issuing authority must sign the certificate.”
validity
The period during which a document is accepted.
“Some certificates have three-month validity.”