Burundi started using English as an official language in 2014. Since then, U.S. travelers to the country have not had to translate their documents into French or Kirundi. But while this barrier no longer exists, anyone traveling to Burundi for official reasons must get an apostille Burundi. We explain why this is the case and how you can get one in time for your flight.
What is an Apostille, and Why Do You Need it for Burundi?
In recent years, Burundi has witnessed a positive trend in its economy. This heightened GDP has fostered interest among people who have headed to the country, seeking business and other official opportunities. And, of course, this has involved a lot of paperwork. But to get in on any of these perks, you need an apostille Burundi.
An apostille is a certification that was introduced to abolish legalization and authentication processes. These procedures, which required authentication at two levels, were time-consuming and often left room for fraud. This certification was then introduced as a one-stop shop for all matters of authentication. It is used to verify the signature, stamp, and seal on an official document. That way, people receiving the document can get details on the following:
- The country of origin of the document,
- The person who signed the document,
- The capacity of the person who signed the document,
- When you got the apostille, and
- Where you got the apostille.
This certification, acceptable in all countries party to the 1961 Hague Convention, thus makes a document valid for official use. It proves that the signatures, stamps, and seals are legitimate and, therefore, eliminates concerns regarding validity. Moreover, it establishes trust between you and the recipients, which is especially important when conducting official cross-border transactions.
So, if you want to ease transactions while in Burundi, an apostille Burundi is the answer. After all, both the U.S. and Burundi recognize this certification. And you can use it to validate the following:
- Academic certificates like high school diplomas and university degrees,
- Social documents like marriage certificates and divorce decrees, and
- Business papers like incorporation documents and trademarks.
Since an apostille Burundi is a legal requirement in some cases, you should apostille any document you will use for official business. Our team is always here to help you decide what needs an apostille if you require assistance.
How to Obtain an Apostille for U.S. Documents for Use in Burundi
The journey to getting an apostille Burundi features several steps. Failure to comply with this process results in the delay or disqualification of your application. So, how should you go about it?
- Understand where you should get an apostille: Apostille processing can be done at the U.S. Department of State or the Secretary of State. So, where does your apostille belong?
- The Secretary of State (SOS): The SOS can only apostille documents issued by the state. Such documents include divorce decrees and marriage certificates. However, the apostille can only be done in the state of issue. For example, a birth certificate issued by the Texas SOS can only get an apostille Burundi from the state of Texas. Moreover, only documents that feature raised or stamped seals from the court or Department of Vital Records are eligible for a state apostille.
- The U.S. Department of State: Documents issued at the federal level cannot get an apostille from the SOS. Instead, they should get an apostille from the federal government. Such documents, which include trademarks and FBI background checks, should be on agency letterheads. They should also have been signed by a U.S. federal officer, a U.S. consular officer, or any other party at the federal level.
Knowing which authority should handle your apostille is key to getting an apostille Burundi on time.
- Notarize your documents: Aside from FBI background checks, all documents needing an apostille should be notarized before a notary public. Failure to notarize them deems them unsuitable for an apostille.
- Certify the documents: Documents should be presented as true certified copies. This process can take place before a notary public. But in the case of court documents, federal documents, marriage certificates, death certificates, divorce decrees, and birth certificates, this process should take place at the Secretary of State.
Once the documents have gone through the checks above, you can submit them to the SOS or the U.S. Department of State. The apostille Burundi process should take a few weeks to complete. Sometimes, the waiting time can be longer, especially when there is a backlog in the offices.
Efficient and Reliable Apostille Services for Travelers to Burundi
Given the sensitive nature of apostilles, apostille authorities pay a lot of attention to the documents getting an apostille. As such, even a minor mistake can invalidate your application, forcing you to start again. The key to getting an apostille Burundi on time is using expedited professional apostille services. And at TVP, we break down the process into three easy steps:
- You submit an apostille order and let us know your name, address, the document type, where you will use it, and preferred processing timeline. We offer rush and standard processing timelines; you can choose the one that best matches your flight itinerary.
- Our team reviews the order and determines what we need to start the apostille process. We have offices across fifty states and can process an apostille Burundi regardless of where you live. Moreover, we offer additional services to aid the apostille process, including certification an notarization. In one go, you can prepare your paperwork and get your apostille. We will direct you on where to send or drop off the documents.
- We process the apostille per your chosen timeline and send it to your preferred address.
The entire process takes just a few days. And you won’t even need to leave your house to get it done. Moreover, we offer consultation, concierge, document review, and attestation services. So, you can get all your needs covered under one roof and in one go!