Suriname is a member of the Hague Convention of 1961, which means that it can issue apostilles for documents intended for use in other countries that are also signatories of the Hague Convention.

Steps to Obtain an Apostille in Suriname:

1. Prepare Your Document:
   • The document you wish to apostille must be an official or public document issued by a Surinamese authority. This includes documents like birth certificates, marriage certificates, academic diplomas, notarial acts, and court documents.
   • If the document is not in Dutch (the official language of Suriname), you may need to have it translated into Dutch or the language required by the country where the document will be used.
2. Notarization (if required):
   • If the document is a private document (such as a contract or agreement), it will need to be notarized by a notary public in Suriname before it can be apostilled.
3. Submit the Document to the Relevant Authority:
   • In Suriname, the authority responsible for issuing apostilles is the Ministry of Justice and Police.
   • The Department of Legal Affairs within the Ministry handles the apostille process.
4. Required Documents for Apostille:
   • The original document you wish to have apostilled.
   • A valid identification (e.g., passport or national ID card).
   • If someone else is submitting the document on your behalf, a notarized power of attorney or written authorization may be required.
5. Apostille Process:
   • The Ministry of Justice and Police will verify the authenticity of the document and apply the apostille. The apostille serves as a certificate or stamp that authenticates the document for use in other Hague Convention countries.
6. Fees:
   • The fee for obtaining an apostille in Suriname is generally affordable, though it may vary. The cost is typically around SRD 100 to SRD 200 (Surinamese Dollars), but it’s always best to check with the Ministry of Justice for the current fee structure.
7. Receiving the Apostilled Document:
   • Once the apostille has been 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.

Important Notes:

• Translation: If your document is in a language other than Dutch, it may need to be translated into Dutch or the language required by the destination country before it can be apostilled.
• Hague Convention Countries: The apostille is valid only for countries that are members of the Hague Convention. For use in countries that are not part of the Hague Convention, consular legalization will be required.
• Legalization vs. Apostille: For countries outside the Hague Convention, you will need to go through the consular legalization process, which involves getting the document authenticated by the relevant embassy or consulate of the destination country.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your document from Suriname is properly apostilled and recognized in other Hague Convention countries.