Citizens and entities that require the certification of a document to be used in a foreign country must use the apostille or certification service, as corresponds. The purpose of the apostille or certification, issued by the Department of State, is to authenticate the signatures of public officials on documents to be used outside Puerto Rico.
For Hague Convention countries, an apostille is issued in accordance with the mentioned convention. In the case of non-Hague Convention countries, a certification is issued instead of an apostille.
Some of the documents that required apostilles or certifications are:
The original document or certificate must be original. In the case of public deeds, you must present the certified copy duly issued by the notary public with the corresponding stamps cancelled.
If you are not in Puerto Rico and need to apostille or certify a document issued on the Island that will be used abroad, you must make the request by mail. Here we show you how.
Department of State
Oficina de Certificaciones y Reglamentos
Apartado 9023271
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00902