How to Get a Secretary of State of Hawaii Apostille

Have you ever needed to have a document authenticated for use in another country? If you live in Hawaii and find yourself in this situation, you may need to obtain an apostille from the Secretary of State of Hawaii. This process can seem daunting, but don't worry – we've got you covered. In this blog post, we'll walk you through the steps to obtain an apostille in Hawaii, including what documents you'll need and how to submit your request.

Step 1: Determine which documents need an apostille

The first step in obtaining an apostille in Hawaii is to determine which documents require authentication. Generally, any legal document that needs to be used in a foreign country will require an apostille. This includes documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, and educational records. Once you've determined which documents you need to authenticate, move on to step 2.

Step 2: Obtain a certified copy of the document

In order to obtain an apostille, you'll need to provide a certified copy of the document you want to authenticate. The certified copy should be issued by the government agency that holds the original document. For example, if you need to authenticate a marriage certificate, you'll need to obtain a certified copy of that certificate from the Hawaii Department of Health.

Step 3: Complete the apostille request form

The next step is to complete the apostille request form, which can be found on the Hawaii Secretary of State's website. This form requires you to provide information such as your name, address, and the type of document you're requesting an apostille for. You'll also need to indicate how you'd like to receive the apostille – either by mail or in person.

Step 4: Submit the documents and payment

Once you've completed the request form, you'll need to submit it along with your certified copy of the document and payment. The fee for an apostille in Hawaii is $1 per document, plus an additional $1 for each certification requested. You can pay by check or money order, made payable to the "State of Hawaii".

Step 5: Wait for your apostille to be processed

After you've submitted your request, the Hawaii Secretary of State's office will process your documents and issue the apostille. The processing time can vary but is typically between 5-7 business days. If you've chosen to receive the apostille by mail, it will be sent to the address you provided on the request form. If you've chosen to pick it up in person, you'll be contacted when it's ready.

Obtaining an apostille in Hawaii may seem like a complex process, but by following these steps you should be able to navigate it with ease. Remember to start by determining which documents require an apostille, then obtain a certified copy and complete the apostille request form. Once you've submitted your documents and payment, all that's left to do is wait for your apostille to be processed. With this knowledge, you can confidently go forth and authenticate your documents for use in foreign countries.