Job Discussion Forums

[shannongcole]

Another thing you may want to consider is not only getting your university diploma(s) apostillized, but also your transcripts. I just went through this process last fall -- I believe here in Georgia (I'll double check tonight), it required having someone in the registrar office notarize those transcripts before they are officially sealed and then sent through the regular process of the apostille. (I opened my transcripts just to be sure they were notarized by the Registrar, but they received the apostille anyway).

I have noticed a few private schools and universities in Mexico have asked for apostilles on both the diploma and transcripts these days (it's an easy way to verify the diploma is real). I went ahead and got my birth certificate with an apostille since the process doesn't cost very much in Georgia ($2-3 a document if I recall correctly) -- but I ran into problems with a copy I had 10 years ago (they didn't have the notary listed on their database), so I had to get a new birth certificate.

In any case, you might like to get your transcripts notarized while you're writing the Registrar's office. You may never need an apostille on them, but there are places that prefer that now along with your diploma. Good luck!

[FreddyM]

I went to the SEP office to have my degrees validated here. Even though I'm a mexican citizen, all my studies are from the U.S., from primary school to grad school. Unfortunatley I learned I have to go through this entire apostille process as well. Any idea how much this will end costing me? (High school diploma, B.S., and some college credits from three universities in Texas, college credits from another in California, and graduate degree from Michigan). I'd need to get everything translated, notarized, and apostilled so SEP can certify my studies here (and yeah, a couple places I interviewed at wanted all my studies officially recognized by SEP).
By far the biggest obstacle will be trying to get my high school education validated, since I lost my high school diploma years ago...and SEP requires the high school diploma to be recognized in order for them to recognize my B.S. Even though I have an MA as well.

Dealing with bureaucracy is a real pain.

[MELEE]

Yikes, that sounds terrible Freddy. Every state charges differently for Apostilles, I've heard as little as $2.00 (Tennesse, but that was years ago so it could have gone up) to as much as $50. What will cost you is Official translations. Will they take your own translations? Obviously you talked to them in Spanish. If they will except you translating them yourself, you will save a bundle. The US Consulate charged my 500 pesos to have my birth certificate translated 3 years ago. (I needed an official translation for the civil registry to get married). Contact your school district (they should have a web page) about getting your HS diploma replaced there is a good chance they will only charge you the postage. Is there someone you know in Texas who you can trust with all the paper work? Have all the things from Texas sent to them and have them do the Apostilles all at once.

Good Luck!

[fratton]

[quote="ilovebdt1"]

[gigisehr]

I'm in the process of applying for a student visa, and I have to turn in Spanish translations of a few documents (birth certificate etc.) Do the translations have to be notarized? Should I have the documents translated first and then get the apostille? I suppose I'll just call the embassy back and ask, but I was wondering if any of you had any clue about this. Thanks

[Samantha]

This is a question that the school you will be attending will easily be able to answer for you. They will know their local INAMI requirements. Good luck and enjoy your time in Mexico!

[kcamansa]

So, I'm getting my documents apostilled here in the US before I leave for DF but what about the translations? Do they need to be done here in the States or can I get that done once in DF? Who does such translations?
Thanks for your time