You have thus just received a letter from your ideal university, and right now your head is whirling with enthusiasm and, let me say, a drop of panic. Then suddenly words like Apostille Good 2 Go Mobile Notary Plus documents show up on your to-do list. But why do you even require these magical certificates? What are they? Let us dissect it, less the stifling legal jargon.
All of this is based on trust at first. Foreign governments and colleges seeking overseas students want to make sure your academic records—from diplomas to transcripts—are authentic and unaltered. An apostille is a worldwide sign of approval. The Apostille is a clean, formal certificate connected to your original paperwork, not a jumble of embassy stamps and translating problems. Thanks to the Hague Convention, around 120 nations—including most important study locations—have acknowledged this approach since 1961.
Still, avoid letting the paperwork avalanche bring you down. Countries include the United States, Canada, India, and the United Kingdom have somewhat distinct apostille processes. Usually, you will need to get your document confirmed by a local government agency—perhaps state departments or notaries publics. Then the Apostille, another higher power affixes the golden ticket. It comes with numbers, dates, signatures, and governments can simply cross-check them; it is not only a rubber stamp.
Which papers typically require this additional degree of validation? Degrees, marksheets, birth certificates, police clearance, and letters of recommendation—all educational materials. Expect to apostille those as well should your university overseas need original or certified copies. Since criteria vary depending on the country, a quick phone or email to the admissions office of your preferred university will help you save wasted travels.
Many pupils find that common errors trip them. Turning in copies instead of originals, absent signatories, or heading to the incorrect department could entail beginning the procedure anew. Every nation has unique characteristics; sometimes a transliteration into the language of the host nation is required before the apostille is even feasible.