Imagine this: Moving overseas is something you’re really looking forward to. Perhaps it’s Spain. It might be Brazil. A flood of new vocabulary words appears out of nowhere, including “Apostille documents,” “authentication,” and “legalization.” Instead of a passport to a new life, your paperwork suddenly looks more like a puzzle. It need not be expensive or cause you to lose every hair on your head; this is something no one tells you.
The conventional wisdom? Spend hundreds, if not thousands, of money on a “official” service. They promise you the moon and back in an effort to sweettalk you. Here’s a secret: cut out the intermediary. Did you know that the office of the Secretary of State in your state may handle the majority of apostille procedures directly? Avoid clandestine handshakes. No additional bank fees. Fill out the form online, pay the small charge (usually less than $20), and then send it in the mail. It’s done. Extraordinary detective work is not required.
Be wary of scam sites; they are a potential hazard. Get ready by typing “apostille service” into your search box. A plane ticket is the price of some. Stay on the official website of your state. You can use that as a guide here. A lot of them provide detailed, easy-to-follow instructions. Get on the phone and ask if you’re still confused. Absolutely! People are still answering those!
We should discuss the timing. Just smile and walk away if someone tries to sell you on the idea that acquiring an apostille quickly and for a high price is your only choice. It usually doesn’t take more than two weeks if you plan ahead. If you tend to put things off until the last minute, you might want to reconsider.
A single document was once rush-edited for $500 by a friend of mine. After checking with the government directly, her state was able to complete it in three business days for $15. Not stapled paperwork, but tapas or capirinhas might have been a better use of that cash.
An apostille is not required for all documents, and this is a surprising fact. Verify your itinerary thoroughly; certain countries may exempt you from requiring certain documents. Think about it: you could avoid a whole step while still maintaining your savings.
If you put in a little time and effort into researching your options, you can keep a lot of money where it belongs: in your pocket. Share this information with the next curious traveler. Skip the middlemen. One apostille at a time, let’s make border crossing a bit less expensive and a lot less frustrating.