Several authorities in the United States can provide apostille services for documents intended for use in Costa Rica. The specific entity depends on the document's origin and type.
The Secretary of State's office in the issuing state typically handles
apostilles for state-issued documents, such as birth certificates or marriage certificates. Each state has its own procedures and requirements.
Federal documents, including
FBI background checks or patents, require an apostille from the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.
Some documents may need a county clerk or notary public certification before the apostille process.
Professional apostille services like Globeia can guide you through this complex system and ensure that documents are correctly authenticated in Costa Rica.
Find out where the document was issued before moving ahead with the process.
- Is it from one of the 50 US states or the District of Columbia, bearing an official seal?
If so, since Costa Rica is a Hague Convention member, you'll need a state apostille from the Secretary of State's office or the relevant authority in the issuing state.
- Is it a federal document issued by the US government?
In this case, you'll require a US Department of State Apostille from Washington, DC.
These processes might seem complex but don't worry. At Globeia, we've handled countless document apostilles for Costa Rica, so we're familiar with every step required for each document type.
Unlike Costa Rica, if you intend to use your document in countries not members of the Hague Convention, the process typically involves authentication by US authorities followed by
legalization at the destination country's embassy or consulate.
Trust our expertise to navigate these procedures efficiently, ensuring your documents are ready for use in Costa Rica or anywhere in the world.