Understanding Apostille and Translation Services
                     Understanding Apostille and Translation Services
Those who are emigrating from a country, immigrating to a country, looking for dual citizenship, or a 
whole host of other international legal issues will require a large amount of documentation that must 
be translated and certified. Failure to do so will mean that these individuals will not meet the various 
standards of the countries in question and are likely to be denied. In times past, trying to figure out the 
different legal requirements of multiple countries was an incredibly difficult task. The many different 
standards also led to widespread fraud that was hard to detect.
 
Over time, various international treaties were signed that attempted to streamline many of these 
processes. In 1961, the Hague Convention put together a system for legal documents from one country 
to be recognized in another, titled “Abolishing the Requirement of Consular Legalization for Foreign 
Public Documents of 1961” this act standardized many of the legal processes and requirements 
amongst the signing countries. Over 115 countries are a part of the Convention, and it is used 
throughout the entire European Union.
 
For most, our first run-in with this information is when we are told we need to get an apostille for one 
or more of our documents. In this article, we are going to help you understand just what an apostille is 
and how it relates to translation services and requirements. By the end, you should be able to explain 
why apostilles exist, and if you require one. 
 
For those needing apostille and translations services, The Spanish Group is a highly recommended, and 
internationally recognized certified translation service specializing in getting you exactly what you need. 
From translation to notarization to apostille, start today!
So Just What is an Apostille?
Apostilles are certificates affixed by officials designated by the government in question. These certificates are used to certify 
notarized documents from a foreign country that participates in the Convention. The purpose is to streamline and reduce 
the oversight requirements for some of the most common international paperwork.
Almost any official document that is getting translated and notarized in preparation for being submitted to a foreign country 
(a foreign country with a different official language) will need the apostille. For countries that are not a part of the 1961 
Hague Convention, you will have to directly contact the Secretary of State's office to find out how to certify documents.
Generally, the relevant authority apostilles certificates with their seal and signature. Often these designated officials can be 
found in embassies, courts, and local government buildings. Different countries have different requirements for this 
designation. 
How do I Get an Apostilled Document?
While the exact process will differ by country, the base requirements will be about the same. You get your document 
translated by professional translators, and then you get it notarized. From there, you may need to mail your document to 
the Secretary of State to get it apostilled. In some cases, the apostille itself may need to be then translated. 
We should look at a more specific example. If someone from the US was planning to get married to someone in Mexico, they 
are going to make sure that for each piece of paperwork, they have a certified translation in Spanish, and a representative of 
the government notarizes it. They must also have an Apostille stamp to authenticate them. These are all services that The 
Spanish Group can assist you with. An Apostille in Spanish is not a rare requirement (for those who frequently 
ask, apostillar means apostille in Spanish).
Common Questions About Apostilled Documents
Do I Need to Translate a Document that has an Apostille? Do I Need to Translate 
the Apostille?
It is recommended, unless otherwise stated, that you should obtain both a 
translation of the apostilled document and a certified translation of the apostille 
certificate. You will almost always need to attach a certified translation to any 
paperwork you submit into the language of the receiving nation. So if you are asking, 
"Do I need to translate the apostille?" err on the side of safety.
What is the Difference between a Notarization and an Apostille?
Both a notarization and an apostille serve to certify the document, but each plays a 
different role in relation to the international legal system. A notary typically operates 
internally to a nation, a notarized document in the US is usually acceptable 
throughout the US at that point. But, if you want to take that notarized document 
and have it accepted somewhere else, like in Spain, you will need to apostille and 
then translate all appropriate paperwork. 
Can I Apostille a Document in Spanish?
Yes, but if this paperwork is meant to be submitted to a country whose official 
language is English (or anything else), you will also need to obtain a translation. 
You can apostille a document in Spanish, or really any other language required.
What is Apostille in Spanish? Is it Required in Spain?
Apostillar, meaning in English simply an apostille, is a necessary step for working, learning, living, etc. in Spain.
Since Spain is a part of the Hague Apostille Convention, then any official document requires an apostille. Getting an 
apostille in Spanish is just as simple as getting one in English if you work with the right translation companies.
Apostillar, meaning in English apostille. So you don’t need to go asking for the apostille definition in Spanish -they are 
both the same thing.
 
How to Get a Document Translated and Apostilled
We touched on this before, but I think it helps to put a nice summary in the end. Finding out how to get a 
document translation and apostilled used to be relatively tricky, depending on how accessible your local government 
was, as well as the country in question. Today, however, technology and our easy means of secure communications 
offer us plenty of efficient solutions.
Those who need apostille and translations services can easily contact professional organizations like 
The Spanish Group that specialize in dealing with international paperwork and getting it across language barriers. From 
translation to notarization to apostille, they can handle it all. Start today and get the best 
professional language translation services.
     Address: 19200 Von Karman Ave # 600, Irvine, CA 92612
     Phone: (800) 460-1536
     Website: https://thespanishgroup.org/