APOSTILLE FOR PANAMA

Apostille Services for Panama

Applying for residency in Panama, retiring there, accepting a position, practicing medicine, buying property or doing business through a Panamanian company? Panama accepts apostilles, so most U.S. documents need one certificate, followed by a Spanish translation that meets Panamanian requirements. We prepare and authenticate your documents from Boston and deliver them wherever they need to go.

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PANAMA AT A GLANCE

Hague Convention member

A single apostille replaces consular legalization.

Residency and retirement
Physician and professional credentials
Spanish translation coordinated
Corporate documents and powers of attorney

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How documents for Panama work

Panama acceded to the Hague Apostille Convention, which entered into force for Panama on August 4, 1991, 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. Panamanian public institutions require an official Spanish translation of any document issued in another language, and Panamanian regulations define an official translation as one prepared by a public translator recognized by Panama's Ministry of Education (traductor público autorizado). We confirm with you, your attorney or the receiving office how the translation must be prepared before any work begins.

Documents we prepare for Panama

FBI background checks for residency and work permits
Birth and marriage certificates for dependents and family registration
Diplomas and transcripts for employment, study and degree recognition
Physician license verifications and medical credentials. See Physician Credentials
Powers of attorney for property, banking and legal matters
Corporate documents for companies doing business in Panama
Death certificates and probate documents for inheritance
Divorce decrees and single status affidavits

What Panama usually requires

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

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 Panama

Translation is the step that most often determines whether a Panamanian office accepts a document. Offices in Panama generally require an official translation by a Panamanian authorized public translator, while some filings made through Panama's consulates in the United States accept translations by translators certified by the American Translators Association. As an ATA Corporate Member, we prepare certified Spanish translations when the receiving office accepts them. When a Panamanian translator is required, we ship the apostilled originals directly to the translator or your attorney in Panama, so the translation is prepared from the authenticated documents. See Spanish Translation.

Good to know

Physicians and clinicians

Physicians practicing or proctoring in Panama typically need an apostilled Board verification letter, diploma and training certificates. See Physician Credentials.

Residency and retirement

Residency applications commonly call for an apostilled FBI check and family records. See FBI Background Checks.

Powers of attorney

Common for property purchases, banking and legal matters handled by an attorney in Panama. See Powers of Attorney.

Businesses

Good standing certificates, resolutions and corporate powers of attorney for Panamanian entities and partners. See Corporate Documents.

Serving professionals, retirees and families heading to Panama

We help physicians, executives, retirees, students and families in Greater Boston prepare documents for Panama, as well as companies with operations or entities there. We come to you to notarize, obtain each apostille from the correct state or the U.S. Department of State, coordinate the Spanish translation and ship everything to you, your attorney or the receiving office in Panama.

Common mistakes we help you avoid

A state apostille on an FBI check. FBI checks require the federal apostille from the U.S. Department of State.
Translating before the apostille. Many offices require the apostille itself to be translated, so translation should follow authentication.
Using the wrong translator. Many Panamanian offices require a Panamanian authorized public translator. Confirm before ordering.
Generic power of attorney wording. Your Panamanian attorney may require specific language.
Old certificates. Many offices require recently issued records and background checks.

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 Panama accept apostilles?

Yes. Panama is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, which entered into force for Panama on August 4, 1991.

Do documents need to be translated into Spanish?

Usually, yes. Panamanian public institutions require an official Spanish translation of documents issued in another language, prepared by a public translator recognized by Panama's Ministry of Education.

Can you provide the Spanish translation?

We prepare certified Spanish translations when the receiving office accepts them. When a Panamanian authorized public translator is required, we ship the apostilled originals directly to the translator or your attorney in Panama.

Who apostilles an FBI background check for Panama?

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 Panama?

Yes, including the apostilled Board of Registration in Medicine verification letter, diploma and training certificates. See Physician Credentials.

Do you ship to Panama?

Yes, with tracking, to you, your attorney, your translator or the receiving office.

Can you handle documents from several states?

Yes. Each document goes to the state that issued it, and we send the full set together.

Sending documents to Panama?

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