U.S. travelers to Kazakhstan must present official documents to engage in business in Kazakhstan. Official documents are required for education, business, work, and even social activities like marriage. However, Kazakhstan authorities can only recognize U.S. documents that have been authenticated. That is why you need an apostille for Kazakhstan. We guide you through what an apostille entails, when you need it, and how you can get one in just a few days.
The Importance of Apostille for U.S. Documents When Traveling to Kazakhstan
What is an apostille? An apostille is a certification in the form of a document you attach to an official document to prove that the signatures, stamps, and seals are authentic. This document highlights the following details:
- Who signed the document,
- The capacity of the person who signed the document,
- The origin of the document, and
- The date and place of issue of the apostille.
But why do you need an apostille? This certification is in place for the following reasons:
- It eliminates the chance of fraud. In the past, there have been cases where people have faked documents and used them for official transactions in foreign countries. But with an apostille, this is not possible. Only legal documents can get apostilled.
- It verifies your identity, making it easy to transact across borders. People receiving your documents can trust their integrity and that you are the person whose details are in them.
- It lays the foundation for trust. Foreign authorities can verify that a competent authority in the United States has authenticated your documents. They will accept your documents based on this fact.
The apostille is recognized in countries that are party to The Hague Convention. And because Kazakhstan and the United States are parties to this Treaty, you can use an apostille for Kazakhstan to verify your documents for official use in Kazakhstan.
So, what documents need an apostille for Kazakhstan?
- Documents that the state has issued,
- Documents that the Federal Government has issued, and
- Documents that have been issued by authorities recognized by the United States government.
A document will be eligible for an apostille for Kazakhstan if it contains legal details and meet the requirements set out by the competent authority. For example, documents issued by the state should have raised or stamped seals from the court or the Department of vital records. If you are still determining whether your document qualifies for an apostille for Kazakhstan, our team can always guide you on whether you qualify.
How to Obtain an Apostille for Your U.S. Documents for Kazakhstan
The apostille was introduced in 1961 during the Hague Convention. At the time, countries were using lengthy and complex legal and authentication procedures. The apostille was a way to reduce the hassle that travelers had to go through before transacting with foreign countries. It involves the following steps:
- Understand the competent authority with a mandate to issue an apostille. You can get your documents apostilled at the U.S. Department of State or the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State handles documents issued at the state level. Furthermore, it can only apostille a document in the state where it was issued. A birth certificate that was issued in California can only get an apostille in California but cannot get one from Texas. The Secretary of State can delegate the task of apostilles to lower ranks, such as the Deputy Secretary of State. Therefore, you should check with your state to determine where to get an apostille. The U.S. Department of State handles federal documents. It does not have the mandate to issue apostilles for documents issued by the state.
- Notarize your documents. All documents that require an apostille must get notarized before a notary public. Any document that does not have notarization is not eligible for an apostille.
- Certify your documents. You must present true certified copies to a competent authority to get an apostille. State-issued documents can get an apostille from a notary public. But those issued by the court or the Federal Government should get certification from the Secretary of State.
- Translate your documents. The official languages in Kazakhstan are Kazakh and Russian. Using documents in English can delay official processes. You should get a true translation of the documents to ease the apostille process. Travel Visa Pro provides translation services and is a certified translator.
- Submit your documents. Once you have verified that your documents meet the apostille for Kazakhstan requirements, you should submit your application to the competent authority by mail or in person.
The process should be complete within 5 to 6 weeks. Kindly note that if you err during the process, you must restart it and pay the application fee again.
Benefits of Using a Professional Apostille Service
The apostille for Kazakhstan process often drags on for weeks leading into months. Additionally, it involves many complexities that create room for error, forcing many people to restart the process and pay the applicable fees. This back-and-forth can get in the way of urgent travel plans and hamper business transactions. Travel Visa Pro offers a solution through its professional apostille for Kazakhstan services with the following advantages:
a) Speed: We know that waiting weeks is not ideal for most travelers. And we offer two processing options that take only days to complete. Whether you choose rush or standard processing, you should have an apostille at your doorstep in days.
b) Professionalism: We hire experts who understand the apostille process. They not only offer guidance on apostilles but they also cater to the following needs:
- Notarization,
- Certification,
- Translation, and
- Attestation.
Our broad range of services allows you to meet your apostille needs in one go.
c) Simplicity: Our apostille for Kazakhstan process takes only three steps as follows:
- You submit an order through our website,
- We review your order and tell you where to send your documents, and
- You receive an apostille at your doorstep.
And in just days, you will have the last piece of the puzzle to conduct official business in Kazakhstan.