To obtain an apostille for documents in Samoa, the process follows the guidelines set by the Hague Convention of 1961, which Samoa is a member of. This means that documents issued in Samoa can be apostilled for use in other countries that are also signatories of the Hague Convention.

Steps to Obtain an Apostille in Samoa:

1. Prepare Your Document:
   • The document you want to apostille must be a public or official document. Examples include birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, academic diplomas, notarial acts, court judgments, and other government-issued records.
   • If the document is not in English, it may need to be translated into English before it can be apostilled, depending on the requirements of the country where the document will be used.
2. Notarization (if necessary):
   • If the document is a private document (such as a contract or agreement), it will need to be notarized by a notary public in Samoa before it can be apostilled.
3. Submit the Document to the Relevant Authority:
   • In Samoa, the authority responsible for issuing apostilles is the Attorney General’s Office through the Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration.
   • The apostille process is typically handled by the Samoa Law Reform Commission or through the Supreme Court Registry. These entities verify the authenticity of documents before applying the apostille.
4. Required Documents for Apostille:
   • The original document to be apostilled.
   • A valid ID (passport or national ID card).
   • If a third party (e.g., a lawyer or representative) is submitting the request, you will need to provide a notarized power of attorney or written authorization.
5. Apostille Process:
   • Once your document is submitted, the authorities will verify the document’s authenticity and attach the apostille. The apostille is a stamp or certificate that authenticates the document for use in other Hague Convention countries.
6. Fees:
   • The fee for obtaining an apostille in Samoa is generally affordable, and the cost may vary depending on the type of document and the processing time. The standard fee is usually around ST$ 50 to ST$ 150 (Samoan Tala).
7. Receiving the Apostilled Document:
   • After the apostille is applied, you can either pick up the apostilled document in person or have it mailed to you, depending on the submission method.

Important Notes:

• Translation: If your document is in a foreign language, it may need to be translated into English before it can be apostilled.
• Hague Convention Countries: The apostille is valid only in countries that are signatories of the Hague Convention. If your document is intended for use in a country that is not a member, you will need to go through consular legalization at the relevant embassy or consulate.
• Legalization vs. Apostille: For countries that are not part of the Hague Convention, consular legalization will be required. This involves having the document authenticated by the embassy or consulate of the country where the document will be used.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your document from Samoa is legally recognized in other countries that are part of the Hague Convention.