Entities competent for the legalization of documents to be used abroad

By Apostille

• General Directorate of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• General Directorate of Registries and Notaries of the Ministry of Justice

The Hague Convention to which Cape Verde is a party and relating to the suppression of the legalization of foreign public acts by diplomatic authorities allows apostilled documents to be valid in all countries that are signatories to the convention.

By Authentication

• General Directorate of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

What is it?

Apostille and authentication are official certifications from a competent government entity that prove the authenticity of the signature, stamp or seal affixed to a document.

Which countries receive documents with an apostille?

Only those who have ratified the Convention Relating to the Abolition of the Requirement of Legalization of Foreign Public Acts, concluded at The Hague on October 5, 1961, under the aegis of the Hague Conference on Private International Law , or adhered to it.
The list of these countries can be consulted on the Hague Conference website

What changes with the Consular Portal?

The Consular Portal introduces the electronic apostille and the request for an apostille online or in person at embassies and consulates and in the general directorate of consular affairs. Until now, the apostille of documents could only be requested in person in the national territory and only on paper.

Online Apostille
Citizens have the possibility of requesting an online apostille of original electronic documents such as birth, marriage and death certificates, criminal records by requesting them on the consular portal or a copy of these or any other electronic documents issued by the Cape Verdean authorities since that are still valid and available on a secure public server for authenticity verification.

Electronic Booklet
Citizens should try to find out in advance whether the foreign authorities where they intend to use the document accept the electronic apostille or not. It is faster and safer.

Paper handout
Citizens can request a paper apostille and choose whether they want to collect the apostilled document at a public institution or at their home. The cost of home delivery of 15 Euros will be charged to the citizen. Picking up from a public service has no additional costs associated with it. The paper apostille takes longer (maximum 10 working days) because it will have to be sent by post from Cape Verde.

How to request an apostle online?

You can only request and attach one document at a time.
If it is a document requested on the consular portal, you have the option, when making the request, to choose whether you want the document to be apostilled, whether to have an apostille electronic or on paper and the place of receipt, which could be for the citizen's address, for a diplomatic mission or to the General Directorate of Consular Affairs in Praia.

1. Register on the consular portal
2. Select the Services – Notary – Apostille option
3. Choose between paper or electronic handbook
4. Attach a copy of the document to be apostilled
5. Make the payment
6. Wait for service feedback

Necessary documents

• Identification document
• Documents to recognize

Request an electronic booklet

Request a paper handout

Personal assistance

Alternatively, citizens can make an appointment for in-person assistance at one of the diplomatic missions.

Make an appointment for service

Price