Apostille and Certifications

Apostille and Certifications

Authentications of Hawai‘i Pacific University documents are often called “legalizations” or “certifications.” An Apostille is a form of authentication appropriate to countries which have signed the 1961 Hague Conference on Private International Law. They are often needed in adoptions, applications for jobs or graduate programs abroad, and certain business/employment transactions. A more comprehensive description is available here.

The Determination of whether an APOSTILLE or CERTIFICATION is issued depends upon which country the documents are to be sent. If the country does recognize the Hague Conference, then an Apostille will be issued. If the country does not recognize the Hague Conference, a Certification will be issued. Here is a list of countries that recognize the Hague Conference. 

 

PROCEDURE FOR REQUESTING APOSTILLE

  • Complete and sign the HPU Application for Apostille.

  • Complete and sign the Office of Lt. Governor Application for Apostille or Certification of Documents.

  • Send both Applications along with an official HPU transcript and/or your original HPU diploma (copies will not be accepted) to the Registrar’s Office at Hawai‘i Pacific University. (Transcript ordering information can be found here.  To reorder a diploma, click here.)  

  • Pay the processing fee of $75.00. 

  • Document(s) will be notarized by a duly commissioned Notary Public of the State of Hawai‘i.

  • Document(s) are then forwarded to the Office of the Lt. Governor for the issuance of authentication. 

  • Please allow approximately two weeks for processing time.

  • The Office of the Lieutenant Governor reserves the right to deny an application for Apostille or Certification. 

  • Document(s) are returned back to the Registrar’s Office and either picked up or mailed to the country’s address. 

 

 IF A COUNTRY DOES NOT APPEAR ON THE 1961 HAGUE CONFERENCE ON PRIVATE INTERNATIONAL LAW, A CERTIFICATION IS ISSUED AS FOLLOWS:

  • For document(s) requiring Certification, they are submitted to the First Circuit Court for verification of the notary’s signature and commission.

  • Document(s) are sent directly from First Circuit Court to the Lt. Governor’s Office in an enclosed self-addressed USPS Express envelope provided by the Registrar’s office.

  • Once document(s) are returned from the Lt. Governor’s office, they are sent to the U.S. Department of State in Washington DC. 

  • Document(s) are then sent directly to the country’s address in the enclosed self-addressed USPS Express envelope provided by the Registrar’s Office. 

  • This process takes approximately three to four weeks.