Cupcake Momma

You just got a letter from your dream school, and right now you’re so excited and, if I may say so, a little scared. Then, out of nowhere, your to-do list starts to fill up with words like “Apostille documents.” But what do you need these miraculous certifications for? What are they? Let’s break it down without all the legalese – visit us to see our special info!

At initially, all of this is predicated on trust. Foreign governments and universities who want to attract students from other countries need to know that your academic records, from diplomas to transcripts, are real and have not been changed. An apostille is a symbol of approval that is recognized all over the world. The Apostille is a neat, official document that goes with your original papers. It’s not a mess of embassy stamps and translation issues. The Hague Convention has been in effect since 1961 and has been accepted by about 120 countries, including most of the best places to study.

Don’t allow all the paperwork get you down, though. The apostille method is a little different in the US, Canada, India, and the UK. Most of the time, you’ll need to have a local government office, such a state department or a public notary, certify your paperwork. The Apostille, another higher power, then puts the golden ticket on. It has numbers, dates, and signatures, and governments can easily check them against each other. It’s not just a rubber stamp.

What kinds of papers usually need this extra level of proof? All of these things are school-related: degrees, marksheets, birth certificates, police clearance, and letters of recommendation. If your university abroad needs original or certified copies, you should also apostille those. Because requirements differ from nation to country, a short phone call or email to the admissions office of your desired university will help you save unnecessary trips.

A lot of students tumble over mistakes that are typical. If you turn in copies instead of originals, don’t have the right people sign, or go to the wrong department, you might have to start the process all over again. Every country is different, and sometimes the apostille can’t even be done until it has been translated into the language of the host country.