In the Marshall Islands, the process of obtaining an apostille follows the guidelines of the Hague Apostille Convention, which the Marshall Islands is a member of. The apostille certifies the authenticity of documents for international use in countries that are also parties to the Hague Convention.
Steps to Get an Apostille for Documents in the Marshall Islands:
- Determine the Document Type: Documents that can be apostilled in the Marshall Islands include:
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Academic diplomas and transcripts
- Notarized documents (e.g., powers of attorney, affidavits)
- Court decisions and other official documents issued by state authorities
- Obtain the Document: The document must be issued by an official Marshall Islands authority. For example:
- Birth, marriage, or death certificates issued by the Office of Vital Statistics.
- Academic diplomas issued by universities or educational institutions in the Marshall Islands.
- Notarized documents from licensed Marshall Islands notaries.
- Official documents issued by government bodies or courts.
- Notarization (if required): If your document requires notarization (such as powers of attorney or contracts), it must first be notarized by a licensed Marshall Islands notary public before it can be apostilled.
- Submit the Document to the Office of the Attorney General: The Office of the Attorney General in the Marshall Islands is responsible for issuing apostilles. They act as the central authority for apostille requests for documents issued by Marshall Islands authorities.You will need to submit your documents to the Office of the Attorney General for apostille processing.
- Complete the Apostille Application Form: When submitting your document, you will need to complete an apostille application form. This form can typically be obtained from the Office of the Attorney General or through their website.
- Pay the Apostille Fee: There is a processing fee for obtaining an apostille in the Marshall Islands. The fee is typically paid at the time of submission.
- Processing Time:
- In-person submissions: Apostille processing typically takes 1–2 business days if submitted in person.
- By mail: If submitting by mail, the process may take 5–7 business days, depending on postal delivery times and volume.
- Collect the Apostilled Document: After the apostille is applied, you can collect the apostilled document from the Office of the Attorney General, or it can be mailed back to you if submitted by post.
Key Points:
- The Marshall Islands is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, so documents apostilled in the Marshall Islands are valid in other countries that are also members of the convention and vice versa.
- Only the Office of the Attorney General in the Marshall Islands is authorized to issue apostilles for Marshall Islands-issued documents.
- Foreign documents must be apostilled in their country of origin before they can be used in the Marshall Islands.
Documents and Information You Will Need:
- The original document you want to have apostilled.
- A completed apostille application form.
- Proof of identity (passport or national ID card may be required).
- Payment for the apostille fee.
Where to Go for Apostille in the Marshall Islands:
- Office of the Attorney General:
- Address: Office of the Attorney General, Majuro, Marshall Islands.
- Phone: +692 625-3313
- Website: Marshall Islands Attorney General
For the most up-to-date information on fees, application forms, and processing times, it is best to contact the Office of the Attorney General directly.