Records issued or notarized in New Mexico may need authentication before they can be used abroad. The New Mexico Secretary of State issues apostilles for paperwork intended for countries that participate in the Hague Apostille Convention. For non-Hague destinations, it issues Certificates of Appointment instead.
The required process depends on the document type and the country where it will be used. In simple terms, an apostille confirms the authority of the official who signed or certified the record, allowing a foreign country to accept it.
Eligible materials include certified birth and death certificates, marriage records and other County Clerk records, certified court records, and corporate filings such as certificates of good standing. The state also lists school transcripts as public documents that may qualify for apostille or authentication. Certain private papers may qualify after notarization.
Because the required certificate depends on the destination country, the right apostille or legalization service is based on where you plan to use the paperwork.
