Apostille for Principe

Príncipe, an island that is part of the São Tomé and Príncipe republic, follows the same procedures as São Tomé for obtaining an apostille for documents. Since São Tomé and Príncipe is a signatory to the Hague Convention of 1961, documents issued in Príncipe can be apostilled for use in other Hague Convention countries.

Steps to Obtain an Apostille for Documents in Príncipe:

1. Prepare Your Document:
   • The document you wish to have apostilled must be an official or public document. Examples include birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, academic diplomas, notarial documents, and court judgments.
   • If the document is not in Portuguese (the official language of São Tomé and Príncipe), it may need to be translated into Portuguese before it can be apostilled, depending on the country where it will be used.
2. Notarization (if necessary):
   • If your document is a private document (e.g., a contract or agreement), it may need to be notarized by a notary public in São Tomé and Príncipe before it can be apostilled.
3. Submit the Document to the Relevant Authority:
   • The apostille for documents from Príncipe is handled by the Ministry of Justice of São Tomé and Príncipe, specifically through the Public Registry or Notary Public services.
   • The document must be submitted to the Public Notary Service or Supreme Court of São Tomé and Príncipe for verification and apostille certification. The same procedures and services are available for both the main island of São Tomé and Príncipe.
4. Required Documents for Apostille:
   • The original document to be apostilled.
   • A valid identification (passport or national ID card).
   • If a representative is submitting the request on your behalf (e.g., lawyer or other third-party), a notarized power of attorney or written authorization may be required.
5. Apostille Process:
   • After submission, the relevant authorities in the Public Registry or Supreme Court will verify the authenticity of your document and apply the apostille, which is typically a stamp or certificate that authenticates the document for use in other Hague Convention countries.
6. Fees:
   • The apostille service fees in São Tomé and Príncipe (and for documents from Príncipe) typically range from ST$ 200 to ST$ 1000 (São Tomé and Príncipe currency), depending on the type of document and processing time.
7. Receiving the Apostilled Document:
   • Once the apostille is applied, you can either pick up the apostilled document in person or arrange for it to be mailed to you, depending on the submission method used.

Important Notes:

• Translation: If your document is not in Portuguese, it may need to be translated into Portuguese before it can be apostilled.
• Hague Convention Countries: The apostille is only valid in countries that are part of the Hague Convention. If you are sending the document to a non-Hague Convention country, consular legalization will be required.
• Legalization vs. Apostille: For non-Hague Convention countries, consular legalization is required, which involves having the document authenticated at the embassy or consulate of the destination country.

By following these steps, your document from Príncipe will be legally recognized for use in other countries that accept apostilled documents under the Hague Convention.