Job Discussion Forums

[lennon146]

I've found conflicting advice on here regarding which documents require an apostille in Mexico. Is birth certificate necessary as well as university degree? I cannot get an apostille on my TEFL cert because it was not issued in the UK, and the UK Foreign Office will only give out apostilles for British-issued documents. Likely to be a problem?

Thanks

[Tretyakovskii]

You won't know you're going to need a document apostilled until someone, at some stage, requires it of you. The only safe thing is to get everything apostilled, as it's a lot less trouble to do in your own country.

I got by without needing a birth certificate until I went to enroll in IMSS: they not only insisted on an apostilled birth certificate, but wanted it officially translated, as well.

Other things, like your degrees and certificates are clearly needed, if you want to be well prepared (and, don't we all?).

As for dealing with an out of country TEFL certificate, I faced the same situation. Here's what happened-

I had everything in order when I arrived in Mexico (apostilled educational records, etc.), except for my TEFL certificate: I had the original, but it was neither certified, nor apostilled, and getting it apostilled was going to be problematic, as it was from a third country.

Reading this forum, I learned that it might be sufficient to satisfy immigration if I got it notarized- together with a statement from me in which I swore that the original certificate had been in my custody since the day it was issued to me. Lacking practical alternatives, I decided to try it. A copy of the certificate, and my attached, sworn statement, were both notarized at a consulate, providing a very official look to it- complete with the great seal impressed in the paper. Immigration accepted this, and that was that.

You could get a copy of your TEFL certificate notarized in the same way, in Mexico, but to be safer, you might try getting it done there, where you are now.

Since it was a copy I had notarized, I'll mention the wording of the oath I attached (I wrote this, so it comes with no warranties!): the form of the oath may be a little different in the practice followed in the UK:
_____________________

AFFIDAVIT

Before me, the undersigned authority, personally appeared (insert your name) who, having been sworn by me to tell the truth, stated the following:

"I am (insert your name). On the (day) day of (month), (year), I was personally presented the (insert the name of your document), a true copy of which is attached to this affidavit, for the successful completion of an intensive training program for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. I am the custodian of the original of the (insert the name of your document). It has been in my possession form the (day) day of (month), (year), to the present time.

Every fact recited by me in this affidavit is within my personal knowledge, and is true and correct."

SIGNED:______________________________
(Your name)

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN before me on this the (day) day of (month), (year).

[After which the notary, or consular agent does their thing with their stamps and seals.]
_________________________________

There is one other thing I'll mention, which I expect is true of INM practice all over the country, immigration gave me back the originals of everything I'd prepared for them, after comparing them to the copies I presented, meaning all of my documents can be used again, in the future, making a lot of the expenses involved in preparing the documents, and having them translated, a one-time effort; and, considering what they cost me in blood, sweat, tears and treasure, that's a very good thing!

As for getting translations of the apostilled, finished products, that's best done here, in Mexico, as the authorities may insist on an official translation, done by a Mex Gov approved translator (perito).

[lennon146]

Thanks, Tretyakovskii!

[Spector]

How much roughly do you think it would cost for me to get my degree apostilled before going into Mexico. Would I need high school exam certificates apostilled too?

[Tretyakovskii]

Spector, you can go online and find out exactly what it will cost by accessing the website of the government agency that will issue yours. Cost is not usually much of an issue, unless you have a lot of them to do. If you've got university degrees, high school diplomas wouldn't be of much use, I would think.

[TheLongWayHome]

I'd get the tefl cert apostilled, immigration will probably ask for it. That was the only thing I needed apostilled.

[Spector]

Ta for the replies again folks- more useful info

[Tretyakovskii]

I don't know if LWH was suggesting getting your TEFL certificate apostilled, rather than relying on the approach I suggested but, if he was, he's right, if it's possible to do so. An apostile of the original would be superior to the certification of a copy, if obtainable.

On the other hand, he may have been referring to a possibility of going one step beyond what I'd mentioned, while you're in the UK, and getting your sworn, certified statement- and attached copy of your TEFL certificate- apostilled [two steps, rather than one]. If this is what he was referring to, again, he's right, and you should try to get it done, as having your sworn, certified statement- and attached copy of your TEFL certificate- apostilled, is superior, the idea being to put as much into the process as you can, now, while it's more convenient, and remove as many objections as might be raised, later, in Mexico. (In this case, the apostile attests only to the authority of the person who administered the oath to you, not to the authenticity of the TEFL certificate: you, in giving the oath, are attesting to its authenticity.)

In either case, LWH has come up with an observation, as he often does, that can be put to good use. Thanks for stepping in, here, LWH.

[TheLongWayHome]

No problem. As I understood it, immigration will want to see an apostille on what justifies giving you an FM3 to teach English. Be it your tefl cert or perhaps a degree. In my case they just wanted the CELTA with an apostille, although my degree being in Literature may also have justfied it had I not had a tefl cert.

[Spector]

Bringing up an old thread, I know, but from what I've seen in the UK, the common practice is to Apostille a copy of the Degree, rather than the original. Would it be okay in Mexico to jobhunt with an Apostille of a photocopied version, or would I have to get an Apostille of the original document?

[willpeach85]

Bringing up an old thread yet again!

Getting the CELTA apostilled - is it issued from the UK? I did the course in Vietnam but am a native Brit in London now. Can I get it apostilled here because the teaching body is UK-based?

Confused!