Imagine this: You got a job in Spain, are getting married in Italy, or your child is going to start school in Brazil. Out of the blue, someone says the word “travel-ready apostilled forms” to you. Start the misunderstanding. What’s the big deal? Why is everyone rushing to get their papers “apostilled,” as if it’s the secret code to get into an international club?
It’s not only people that like paperwork, I can tell you that. When the borders opened wider than ever, these little pieces of paper became golden tickets. That certificate of birth? It requires a stamp. What about your diploma? Add the bureaucratic badge of honor. Even a power of attorney could need a little international flair. No admission without an apostille. You can’t get in without it, just like a backstage pass or an email verification code.
People talk about “globalization” like it’s simply aircraft and Instagram. The truth is that when you cross borders with your life in tow, you have to prove everything you say about yourself. Countries won’t believe you unless you show them the proper “verified” label. Does this sound familiar? Welcome to being an adult.
You could think that all you have to do is go to an office, give them your paper, and get a shiny sticker. Not so fast! Different countries have different rules about what counts as a “official” document, and requirements seem to change all the time, like a naughty genie. For example, one country can require you to get a document certified in two different places before they give you the apostille. Another person might desire a translated copy stapled to the back of the original. If not, it’s a no-go.
What’s with the crazy rush lately? Because of the pandemic, government offices were very busy. Everyone wants to make up for lost time, from students who missed exchange years to expats stuck on the wrong continent to couples who are five hours apart. The line for apostilles suddenly wraps round the block.
Don’t think that only lawyers or big companies care. This apostille avalanche affects regular people like teachers, chefs, and retirees. Sarah, my cousin, needed her divorce papers stamped so she could get property in Portugal. She assumed “apostille” was a fancy drink! Meanwhile, a neighbor prepared for her kid’s semester abroad spent three weeks hunting the appropriate form, then another two locating someone who’d translate a vaccination record from English to Italian legalese.
Be careful if you’re dragging your feet. Colleges, banks, and embassies won’t wait for you to figure out your documentation. They don’t have much patience, like grandma’s crepes. The early birds might indeed get the worm, as well as the visa, job, or wedding license that goes with it.
Don’t laugh when someone says they’re “getting apostilled” next time. Before you get to the back of the line with your passport in hand and wonder what you did wrong, tip your head, wish them luck, and maybe inquire how they did it.