APOSTILLE FOR EL SALVADOR

Apostille Services for El Salvador

Registering a marriage or a child's birth in El Salvador, selling or buying property, settling an inheritance or obtaining authorization to practice medicine there? El Salvador accepts apostilles, so most U.S. documents need one certificate plus a Spanish translation. We prepare and authenticate your documents from Boston and ship them wherever they need to go.

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EL SALVADOR AT A GLANCE

Hague Convention member

A single apostille replaces consular legalization.

Marriage and birth registration
Powers of attorney for property
Physician credentials for temporary practice
Mobile notary across Greater Boston

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How documents for El Salvador work

El Salvador acceded to the Hague Apostille Convention, which entered into force for El Salvador on May 31, 1996, so U.S. documents need an apostille instead of consular legalization. Each document receives its apostille from the state where it was issued or notarized, or from the U.S. Department of State for federal documents such as FBI background checks. Salvadoran offices generally require documents in Spanish, and Salvadoran law provides a notarial procedure for translating documents written in another language. Requirements differ depending on whether the documents go to a civil registry, a notary, a court or a government agency, so we begin with the exact list from your attorney or the receiving office.

Documents we prepare for El Salvador

Birth certificates to register a child born in the U.S.
Marriage certificates to register a U.S. marriage
Powers of attorney for property sales, purchases and banking
Death certificates and probate documents for inheritance
Divorce decrees and single status affidavits
FBI background checks for residency and employment
Diplomas and transcripts
Physician license verifications and medical credentials. See Physician Credentials

What El Salvador usually requires

Document	Where the apostille comes from	What else to plan for
Birth, marriage or death certificate	Secretary of the Commonwealth or issuing state	Certified copy; Spanish translation
Power of attorney	Secretary of the Commonwealth, after notarization	Ask your Salvadoran attorney for the wording
FBI background check	U.S. Department of State	Recent check; Spanish translation
Physician license verification	Secretary of the Commonwealth	Signed Board letter; Spanish translation
Diploma or transcript	Secretary of the Commonwealth, through your school	See our university pages

Requirements change and can differ by office, city and purpose. Always confirm the exact requirements with the office receiving your documents. We are glad to review any instructions you have received.

How we handle it

1
Share the recipient's requirements
Send us the list or email you received from the consulate, regulator, school, employer or attorney. We will review it and confirm exactly what each document requires.
2
We prepare each document
Certified copies, notarization by appointment or retrieval of records you do not yet have.
3
Apostilles from the right offices
Massachusetts documents go to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, other states' documents to the issuing state and federal documents, such as FBI checks, to the U.S. Department of State.
4
Spanish translation and shipping
We arrange certified translation when needed, then ship everything with tracking, either to you or directly abroad.

Spanish translation for El Salvador

Under Salvadoran notarial law, when a document or its authentications are written in a foreign language, a notary in El Salvador may appoint and swear in an interpreter to translate it, then sign and seal each page of the translation. Some Salvadoran offices expect translations formalized in this way, while others accept a certified translation prepared in the United States. As an American Translators Association Corporate Member, we prepare certified Spanish translations, and we recommend confirming with the receiving office or your Salvadoran attorney which form they require. When the translation must be completed in El Salvador, we ship the apostilled originals directly to your attorney or notary there. See Spanish Translation.

Good to know

Physicians and temporary practice

We have prepared physician credential packets for temporary practice authorization in El Salvador, including apostilled Board verification letters and certified Spanish translations. See Physician Credentials.

Property and powers of attorney

Many clients sign a power of attorney here so that a relative or attorney can handle a property matter in El Salvador. See Powers of Attorney.

Need records first?

We retrieve Massachusetts birth, marriage and death records. See Vital Records Retrieval.

Documents from El Salvador for use here

Salvadoran documents used in the U.S. usually need an English translation. See Certified Translation.

Serving Boston's Salvadoran community

Greater Boston has a large and long-established Salvadoran community, from East Boston and Chelsea to Everett, Somerville and Revere. Families come to us to register marriages and births, manage property, settle inheritances and prepare documents for government offices in El Salvador. We come to you to notarize, obtain the apostille, prepare or coordinate the Spanish translation and ship everything to El Salvador or to your attorney.

Common mistakes we help you avoid

Sending a photocopy. An apostille requires a certified copy or a properly notarized document.
Generic power of attorney wording. Salvadoran attorneys often require specific wording and property details. Ask yours for the text.
Assuming any translation will do. Some offices require the translation to be formalized before a notary in El Salvador.
Names that do not match. Two surnames and spelling variations are common. Bring documents that link them.
A state apostille on an FBI check. FBI checks require the federal apostille from the U.S. Department of State.

Official sources

Requirements change, and the receiving office always has the final word. We link to official sources so you can check the current rules yourself.

Frequently asked questions

Does El Salvador accept apostilles?

Yes. El Salvador is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, which entered into force for El Salvador on May 31, 1996.

Do documents need to be translated into Spanish?

Usually, yes. Some offices accept a certified translation prepared in the United States, while others require the translation to be formalized before a notary in El Salvador. Confirm with the receiving office or your attorney.

Can you notarize a power of attorney written in Spanish?

Yes, provided you understand what you are signing. The notarial certificate is in English.

Who apostilles an FBI background check for El Salvador?

The U.S. Department of State, because an FBI check is a federal document. See How to Apostille an FBI Background Check.

Can you prepare a physician's credentials for temporary practice in El Salvador?

Yes, including the apostilled Board of Registration in Medicine verification letter, notarized passport copy, diploma and training certificates, with certified Spanish translation. See Physician Credentials.

Do you come to East Boston and Chelsea?

Yes, and across Greater Boston.

Can you ship to my attorney in San Salvador?

Yes, with tracking.

Can you help if my documents are from another state?

Yes. Each document is apostilled by the state that issued it, and we send the full set together.

Sending documents to El Salvador?

Tell us about the documents, their purpose and your deadline, and we will outline every step.