3Apostille Authentication
Making your documents legally valid for Croatian authorities.
Goal: Authenticate your U.S. documents for use in Croatia.
Understanding Apostille
What is an Apostille?
An apostille is an official government certification that authenticates the origin of a public document. It's required for documents issued in one country to be legally recognized in another country.
The apostille is a standardized certificate that confirms the authenticity of the signature, the capacity of the signer, and the identity of any seal or stamp on the document.
It's essentially a "seal of approval" that makes your U.S. documents legally valid for use in Croatia and other countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention.
Why You Need It
Croatian authorities require that all foreign documents be properly authenticated to verify their legitimacy. Without an apostille, your U.S. documents will not be accepted for your citizenship application.
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates
- FBI background checks
- Any other U.S. government-issued documents
How to Get an Apostille
The process for obtaining an apostille depends on the type of document you need to authenticate.
Federal Documents (FBI Background Check)
- Obtain your FBI background check
- Submit the original document to the U.S. Department of State's Authentication Office
- Pay the required fee (approximately $20 per document)
- Wait for processing (typically 10-15 business days)
State Documents (Birth/Marriage Certificates)
- Obtain certified copies of your vital records from the issuing state
- Submit the documents to the Secretary of State office in the state that issued them
- Pay the required fee (varies by state, typically $5-15 per document)
- Wait for processing (typically 5-10 business days)
Note: Each state has its own procedures and fees. Check with your specific state's Secretary of State office for details.
Important Notes
- Validity Period
Apostilles do not expire. However, Croatian authorities usually require that your criminal record be issued within a certain timeframe (usually 6 months) of your application.
- Original Documents
You must submit original documents for apostille. Photocopies, even if notarized, are generally not accepted.
- Translation Required
After obtaining your apostille, you will need to have the document translated into Croatian by a certified translator.
Pro Tips
Except for the FBI background check, which can be translated and then apostilled.
Many Secretary of State offices offer expedited processing for an additional fee.
People who have done it many times before can handle the entire process for you.