Are you traveling to Luxembourg for work? Maybe you want to invest in its resources or start a business. Whatever official reason necessitates your travel to Luxembourg, you must embark on two official tasks. The first is to translate your documents. While the U.S. uses English for administrative tasks, Luxembourg uses Luxembourgish, French, and German. So, using English documents will not cut it. The second equally important task is to authenticate your documents by getting an apostille for Luxembourg. We explain what this entails and why you need one for official business:
What is an Apostille and Why Do You Need it for Travel to Luxembourg?
Given the rising cases of fraudulent documents, the need for authenticated documents has grown. Before apostilles existed, countries used authentication and legalization procedures to verify the integrity of documents. Per these methods, which are still used in some countries, documents would get verified in two stages. The first, authentication, would occur under the host country’s officials. And the second, legalization, would be under the destination country’s officials. The process was time-consuming and complex. So, in the 1961 Hague Convention, many countries agreed on using the apostille. It is a certification that verifies the following:
- The origin of the document,
- Who signed the document,
- The authority of the person who signed the document,
- When you got the apostille, and
- Where you got the apostille.
This document certifies the authenticity of official documents, making them valid for legal use across borders. Moreover, when you get an apostille for Luxembourg, you can use the same apostille in other countries that accept apostilles. You need an apostille for Luxembourg if you wish to transact using public documents such as:
- State documents, like birth certificates,
- Federal documents like trademarks, and
- Documents by recognized institutions like school transcripts.
An apostille verifies that the documents are genuine. If you need help deciding what needs an apostille, our team is always eager to help.
How to Obtain an Apostille for U.S. Documents for Luxembourg
Getting an apostille for Luxembourg follows a specific process to which you must adhere to get a positive response. Below are the steps to consider:
1. Verify the competent authority to handle your apostille: You can get an apostille for Luxembourg from the Secretary of State or the U.S. Department of State as follows:
a) The Secretary of State (SOS): The SOS has the mandate to issue apostilles for state-issued documents. Examples of such documents include divorce decrees, judgments, birth certificates, and marriage certificates. Before submitting your documents for an apostille, you should note the following.
- The documents can only get an apostille in the state where they were issued. For example, if your document was issued in California, only the SOS California can apostille it.
- The documents must have raised or stamped seals from the Department of Vital Records or the court.
- The documents must go through certification to qualify for the apostille process.
Besides the SOS, you can also get an apostille for Luxembourg from another office within the state. However, you must confirm with the SOS if the apostille process has been delegated to other offices.
b) The U.S. Department of State: The U.S. Department of State issues apostilles for documents issued by the federal government. Examples of such documents include trademarks, bankruptcy court checks, and FBI background checks. Your documents should meet the following criteria:
- They should be on agency letterheads.
- They should have visible signatures and seals from the agency that issued them.
- A U.S. federal agency must have executed them.
Other documents, which are not state or federal-issued, also qualify for an apostille for Luxembourg. Examples include transcripts and single-status affidavits.
2. Notarize the Documents: You can only submit a document for an apostille for Luxembourg if it has been notarized before a notary public. Please note that FBI background checks are exempt from notarization.
3. Certify the documents: All the documents submitted for an apostille should be true certified copies. Documents issued at the state level can get certified before a notary public. But those that fall into the following categories must get certified by the Secretary of State:
- Marriage certificates,
- Birth certificates,
- Death certificates,
- Divorce decrees,
- Court documents, and
- Documents issued by the federal government.
4. Translate the documents: Luxembourg uses the following administrative languages: Luxembourgish, French, and German. As such, transacting with English documents can prove challenging. You are better off translating your documents through a certified translator to get a true translation. You can do this via Travel Visa Pro.
5. Submit the documents: You should submit your documents to the U.S. Department of State or the Secretary of State, depending on the nature of your document.
The waiting time for an apostille for Luxembourg is about five weeks. Sometimes, the waiting time can be months, especially when you make mistakes you must rectify before getting an apostille.
Fast and Reliable Apostille Services for Travelers to Luxembourg
With Travel Visa Pro, you can get an apostille for Luxembourg in just a few days instead of waiting weeks. Thanks to our continuing relationship with apostille authorities, we can expedite your application in just a few days with our rush and standard processing timelines!
Here is how it works:
- You use our website to place an order for an apostille for Luxembourg. In your order, you will include the document type, where you will use it, and when you want to receive it (rush or standard timeline).
- Our agents will review your order and advise you on the requirements your document should meet and where you can send it. We offer apostille services across 50 states, and you will enjoy the convenience of sending or dropping off your documents at the nearest TVP office.
- You will receive an apostille at your address within the time selected during your application. And just like that, you will have authenticated documents!
We also offer attestation, certification, notarization, and translation services under one roof. So, you can meet all the apostille requirements in just one order!