In Nicaragua, the process of obtaining an apostille follows the guidelines of the Hague Apostille Convention, of which Nicaragua is a member. The apostille is used to authenticate documents for international use in countries that are also parties to the Hague Convention.

Steps to Get an Apostille for Documents in Nicaragua:

1. Determine the Document Type: Documents that can be apostilled in Nicaragua 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
2. Obtain the Document: The document must be issued by an official Nicaraguan authority. For example:
   • Birth, marriage, or death certificates issued by the Civil Registry (Registro Civil).
   • Academic diplomas issued by universities or educational institutions in Nicaragua.
   • Notarized documents from licensed Nicaraguan notaries.
   • Official documents issued by government bodies or courts.
3. Notarization (if required): If your document requires notarization (such as powers of attorney, contracts, etc.), it must first be notarized by a licensed Nicaraguan notary public before it can be apostilled.
4. Submit the Document to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: In Nicaragua, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores) is responsible for issuing apostilles. The Ministry handles apostille requests for documents issued by Nicaraguan authorities. You will need to submit your documents to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for apostille processing.
5. Complete the Apostille Application Form: When submitting your document, you will need to complete an apostille application form. This form can be obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or their website.
6. Pay the Apostille Fee: There is a processing fee for obtaining an apostille in Nicaragua. The fee is typically paid at the time of submission.
7. Processing Time:
   • In-person submissions: Apostille processing typically takes 1–2 business days if submitted in person.
   • By mail: If submitting by mail, processing may take 5–7 business days, depending on postal delivery times and volume.
8. Collect the Apostilled Document: After the apostille is applied, you can collect the apostilled document from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or it can be mailed back to you if you submitted your request by post.

Key Points:

• Nicaragua is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, so documents apostilled in Nicaragua are valid in other countries that are also members of the convention and vice versa.
• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the only authority authorized to issue apostilles for Nicaraguan-issued documents.
• Foreign documents must be apostilled in their country of origin before they can be used in Nicaragua.

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 Nicaragua:

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores):
  • Address: Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Avenida Bolívar, Managua, Nicaragua.
  • Phone: +505 2253 2253
  • Website: Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Nicaragua

For the most up-to-date information on fees, application forms, and processing times, it is best to contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs directly or visit their official website.