An Apostille is a certification process that authenticates the origin of a public document for international use under the Hague Convention of 1961. For Peru, this applies to documents that will be used abroad or to validate documents from abroad to be used within Peru.

Steps to Obtain an Apostille for Documents in Peru:

1. Prepare Your Document:
   • Documents like birth certificates, marriage certificates, academic records, or notarized documents can be apostilled.
   • If the document is not in Spanish, it might need to be translated before it can be apostilled.
2. Notarization (if applicable):
   • If your document is not already a public document (like a birth certificate), it might need to be notarized by a Peruvian notary public before it can be apostilled.
3. Submit the Document to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
   • The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru (Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores) is the authority responsible for issuing apostilles.
   • You can go in person to their offices, or some regions allow submission through authorized third parties or online platforms.
4. Required Documents:
   • The original document to be apostilled.
   • A valid ID or passport of the applicant.
   • If you’re using a representative, a notarized authorization letter.
5. Apostille Process:
   • The Ministry will verify the document and authenticate it with an apostille, which is a stamp or certificate attached to the document that verifies the document’s authenticity.
   • This can take anywhere from a few hours to several days, depending on the type of document and the submission method.
6. Fees:
   • There is a fee associated with obtaining the apostille, which can vary. Typically, it is a relatively modest fee.
7. Receiving the Apostilled Document:
   • Once the process is complete, you will receive your apostilled document, which is now legally valid for use in countries that are members of the Hague Convention.

Important Notes:

• Hague Convention Countries: The apostille process is only necessary for countries that are signatories of the Hague Convention (about 120 countries). If the country you’re sending the document to is not a member, you might need a different type of legalization (consular legalization).
• Translations: If your document is not in Spanish and will be used in a Spanish-speaking country, it might need to be translated into Spanish. Ensure the translation is certified before the apostille process.

Make sure to check the exact requirements for your specific case, as some documents may have additional steps for apostille processing.