The Hague apostille is the certification that verifies the authenticity of a public document for use in another signatory country, including the United States. It replaces the old consular legalization process and is commonly required for documents submitted in proceedings such as the EB-1.
The key point is that the apostille is issued in the country where the document originated, by the competent authority there, not by the USCIS. The country that issued the document is the one that apostilles it; the USCIS simply receives it already apostilled when that is required.
In general terms, the process is:
- Identify the competent authority in the country that issued the document (in Brazil, authorized notary offices).
- Make sure the original document is valid and properly issued.
- Submit it so that the signature, title, and seal of the issuing officer can be verified.
- Receive the document with the apostille attached, ready for international use.
Documents in another language typically require an appropriate translation for the U.S. process, and each case may have its own specific requirements. It is worth checking the current requirements with the USCIS or a specialist, and being wary of anyone who promises shortcuts or guaranteed outcomes.
Learn more about EB-1
- Category
- EB-1 Green Card (1st priority)
- Requirement
- Extraordinary ability
- Self-petition
- Allowed (no sponsor needed)
- Processing
- 6-18 months
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About the author
Victoria Harper
Editor-in-Chief
As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.