NJ Apostille for Mexico, Colombia and Ecuador

All three countries recognize the apostille

Mexico has been a party to the Convention since 1995, Colombia since 2001, and Ecuador since 2005; the United States joined in 1981. Between member countries, the apostille replaces the older chain of consular legalizations.

The apostille comes from the state where the document originates. For a New Jersey birth certificate, a document notarized in New Jersey, or a diploma from a New Jersey school, that is the New Jersey Department of the Treasury, Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services. Federal documents (FBI reports, naturalization certificates, Social Security letters) go to the U.S. Department of State.

Typical documents and how to prepare them

For Mexico: birth certificates for dual nationality, marriage certificates, powers of attorney for property or family matters, and school records for enrollment or professional licensing. For Colombia: powers of attorney for banks, pensions, or real estate, academic records for the Ministry of Education's validation, and background checks for residency or visas. For Ecuador: birth and marriage certificates for civil registry matters, powers of attorney, and diplomas for SENESCYT registration.

Vital records must be certified copies signed by the State Registrar, not a town clerk copy or a photocopy. Powers of attorney and affidavits are signed before a New Jersey notary public and apostilled on the notary's signature. School documents usually need a notarized statement from the registrar.

New Jersey fees and timing in 2026

1. Online request through the Treasury's apostille portal, one request per destination country.
2. State fee of $25 per document (standard, about 12 to 20 business days) or $40 per document (expedited, usually next business day).
3. Standard requests are mailed to the Notary Unit in Trenton; expedited requests go by UPS, FedEx, or in person at 33 West State Street.
4. Fermin Consulting's apostille service starts at $85 plus state fees and covers preparation, submission, tracking, and return by mail or pickup in Bloomfield.

Translation: ask before you order

Each country handles translations differently. Mexico often requires a perito traductor authorized in the Mexican state where the document will be used. Colombia often asks for a traductor oficial registered in Colombia. Ecuador sometimes accepts certified translations made abroad and sometimes does not. Ask the receiving office before you spend money on either option.

If a U.S. certified translation is acceptable, Fermin Consulting prepares Spanish translations with a signed certificate of accuracy for $25 for the first page and $10 for each additional page. We are not attorneys and cannot advise on what a foreign document should say; for the wording of a power of attorney, work with a lawyer in the destination country.