Vanuatu is a member of the Hague Convention of 1961, which means it is able to issue apostilles for documents that are intended for use in other countries that are also signatories of the Hague Convention.
Steps to Obtain an Apostille in Vanuatu:
- Prepare Your Document:
- The document you want to apostille must be an official or public document issued by a Vanuatu authority. Examples include birth certificates, marriage certificates, academic diplomas, notarial acts, and court documents.
- If your document is not in English (the official language of Vanuatu), it may need to be translated into English or the language required by the destination country.
- Notarization (if necessary):
- If your document is a private document (such as a contract), it may need to be notarized by a notary public in Vanuatu before it can be apostilled.
- Submit the Document to the Relevant Authority:
- In Vanuatu, the authority responsible for issuing apostilles is the Vanuatu Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
- The Department will handle the apostille process and apply the apostille to the document.
- Required Documents for Apostille:
- The original document that you want to have apostilled.
- A valid ID (e.g., passport or Vanuatu national ID).
- If a third party (e.g., a lawyer or representative) is submitting the document on your behalf, a notarized power of attorney or written authorization may be required.
- Apostille Process:
- After the document is submitted, the Vanuatu authorities will verify the authenticity of the document and apply the apostille. This apostille is a certificate or stamp attached to the document, confirming its authenticity for use in other Hague Convention countries.
- Fees:
- The fee for obtaining an apostille in Vanuatu is typically around VUV 1,000 to VUV 5,000 (Vanuatu Vatu), but fees can vary depending on the document and processing time.
- 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.
Important Notes:
- Translation: If your document is in a language other than English, it may need to be translated into English or the language required by the destination country before it can be apostilled.
- Hague Convention Countries: The apostille is only valid for countries that are members of the Hague Convention. For use in a non-Hague Convention country, you will need to go through consular legalization instead.
- Legalization vs. Apostille: For countries outside the Hague Convention, you will need to go through consular legalization, which involves getting the document authenticated at the embassy or consulate of the country where the document will be used.
By following these steps, your document from Vanuatu will be apostilled and recognized for use in other Hague Convention countries.