Did you know that your U.S. official documents, e.g., birth certificates, are only valid in Panama with authentication? Many people travel abroad without authenticating their documents, only to find themselves between a rock and a hard place. We explain why authentication is crucial and how you can achieve it using an apostille Panama. Moreover, we guide you on how to get one in just a few days!
What is an Apostille, and Why Do You Need it for Panama?
International transactions can only take place confidently in the face of legitimacy. But how can foreign countries accept U.S.-issued documents without the doubt that they may be a result of fraud? – By using an apostille! An apostille is a certification resulting from the Hague Convention of 1961, which includes member countries such as Panama and the U.S. It authenticates the signature on official documents as well as any seals or stamps on it. Thus, the person receiving the document can trace the following aspects:
- Where the document was issued,
- Who signed the document,
- The capacity in which the signer handled the document, and
- When and where the apostille was issued.
Unlike notarizations which are subject to the laws of each country, apostilles are standard across all member states of the Hague Convention. So, besides Panama, you may also require an apostille when using official documents in countries like Honduras and Guatemala.
What can you apostille? Often, people are unsure what to apostille and what to leave out of the apostille Panama process. You should apostille any official documents considered public records in Panama. Examples include:
- Marriage and divorce certificates,
- Court documents,
- School records such as diplomas and certificates, and
- Notarial Acts.
Travel Visa Pro can guide you on what you should get apostilled before leaving the country.
How to Get an Apostille for Your US Documents for Panama
Apostilles can only be issued by two entities. The first is the Secretary of State (SOS) or any authorities mandated to do so by the SOS, e.g., the Deputy SOS. The SOS can issue an apostille Panama for documents originating from the state. For example, a birth certificate from Texas can only get an apostille Panama from the Texas SOS. The second apostille-issuing entity is the U.S. Department of State which handles federal documents.
You can get an apostille Panama through the following process:
- Get your documents notarized by a notary public,
- Have the documents certified by a notary public or the Secretary of State: Your choice will depend on the nature of the document. Federal documents cannot be certified by a notary public and must go through the SOS,
- Translate the documents using a certified translator. Panama uses Spanish as its official language, and translating them will ease your travel experience. Travel Visa Pro provides certified translation services.
Kindly note that you must notarize, certify, and translate each document that requires an apostille Panama. Then you can submit the apostille request in person or by mail to the relevant authority per the nature of the document. The apostille should be ready in about four weeks if you meet all the apostille Panama requirements. You can then attach it to the original document and use it in Panama to verify the authenticity of your paperwork.
Benefits of Using a Professional Service for Your Panama Apostille
An apostille Panama opens many doors in Panama. Not only can you use it to further your education, but you can also use it to grow your business, get married, inherit property, and even get employment. Even so, getting an apostille Panama is not a challenging journey. It features many complexities and can be time-consuming. Luckily, you don’t need to do the work yourself. Travel Visa Pro offers apostille Panama services across 50 states!
And using our trusted apostille services allows you to benefit in the following ways:
- Speed: The average time to process an apostille Panama is four weeks. And that does not include the time used in notarizing, certifying, and translating official documents. As such, it can be months before you are set to leave the U.S. Travel Visa Pro handles the notarizing, certifying, translation, and other services under one roof. Moreover, we offer standard and rush processing periods that take only days to complete. So, in just under a week, you should have your apostille ready!
- Convenience: You can only apostille documents in the state where you got them. For example, your birth certificate is from California, and you live in New York. You’d need to get the apostille in California which would be a hassle. Travel Visa Pro eliminates this challenge by offering apostille services across the country. Whether you need state-level or federal-level apostilles, we will ensure you get your document apostilled at your convenience.
- Efficiency: Apostille Panama requirements differ from one state to another as the competent authorities also differ. As such, making errors is common. Unfortunately, such errors cost you time and money as you must restart the process to get an apostille. Travel Visa Pro has a team of apostille experts who ensure you have dotted every “i” and crossed every “t” to adhere to the apostille requirements.
- Simplicity: We know the apostille process is challenging enough and do not want to add more to it. If anything, our premise is to simplify it so much that you barely spend five minutes on the entire process. Here is how we break it down:
- You submit an order detailing the document you want to apostille and where you will use it. You also include particulars like your name and address.
- Our agents review the order, determine the apostille Panama requirements, and contact you regarding what documents to send and where to address them.
- We process your apostille within the stipulated time (rush or standard processing times) and deliver the apostille to your chosen address.
It’s that easy! We also offer consultation services that you can use to determine which documents to apostille ahead of your trip.