Flawless Apostille Process: Common Mistakes to Avoid (2024)

For that to happen, however, the two countries (home country and country of intent) have to be signatories to the 1961 Hague Convention. That brings us to five of the most common mistakes you should avoid when getting an apostille:

1. Choosing Unreliable Apostille Services

When using a service provider to expedite your process of getting an apostille, the first and most expensive mistake you should look out for is unreliable and uncertified apostille services. Using such services can result in authenticity concerns of the documents, consecutively leading to rejection of the document in the country of interest, or even worse, legal issues.

Additionally, unreliable issuers are often unfamiliar with laws or special requirements for documents that will be used abroad, which can cause unnecessary delays. Not only that, but improper handling of personal documents can jeopardize their privacy and security. In the end, there's so much at risk that it can never be worth it.

For smooth and secure processes such as apostille birth certificate services, use only reputable and certified providers like London Apostille who have a proven track record in apostilling various documents for international use.

2. Not Understanding Apostille Requirements

The second most common hurdle you may encounter when trying to get your documents apostilled is misunderstanding apostille requirements. To begin with, you should find out whether the nation you're interested in is part of the Hague Convention. If not, you'd need to follow a different procedure to have your document legally recognized.

Not only that, but you also have to keep in mind that not all documents can be apostilled, even if they will be used in a country that is a member of the Hague Convention. You can apostille public documents like marriage certificates, transcripts, and court records, but not private ones like personal contracts or personal letters. Apostilling your documents when not required is like changing to winter tyres during the summer - unnecessary and costly.

3. Skipping Document Preparation

The documents that you send to the apostille authority should be faultless and complete to avoid rejections, delays, or even legal complications in some cases. The apostilling requirements of the country where your documents will be used should guide you when preparing your documents.

For example, some countries will only accept original apostilled documents while others require you to obtain certified copies of the original documents and have those notarized instead. If you have to submit notarized documents, it's crucial to ensure that the notary seal and signature are clearly visible. The document should also have a legible date of notarization.

4. Disregarding the Need for Certified Translations

If your apostilled documents will be used in a country that speaks a different language, submitting the documents in their original language and format will only result in delays. To avoid this, it's recommended that you include a certified translation alongside the apostilled document so it's easier to understand.
That way, you can expect an easier process of consideration and approval in the country of interest.

5. Underestimating Processing Times

Paying attention to timing in the apostille process is crucial to avoid wastage of time and consecutively, deadline issues. Apostille requests typically come with strict timelines which, if not met, lead to a series of problems.
Don't wait too long to start the apostille process, because even though you probably have an idea of how long it take to complete, some issues might come up, causing an unprecedented delay.

Want a Worry-Free Apostille Process?

While avoiding the mistakes mentioned in this article isn't complicated, working with top-ranking apostille service providers can help you streamline your processes even further. As long as you work with a reliable provider, they should be able to guide you through all the requirements of the FCDO and your country of interest.

If you're looking to have your documents apostilled in the UK, London Apostille should be your go-to apostille service provider. With more than 15 years of experience serving thousands of satisfied clients, you can be sure they've got what it takes to handle your case.