Sending a Maryland document to Botswana? Because Botswana applies the Hague Apostille Convention, the apostille is the only certification it needs. The question is which Maryland route your document takes to get one.
Botswana has applied the convention since September 30, 1966. Offices there that receive foreign documents, such as civil registries, courts, universities and consulates, check for the apostille rather than an embassy stamp.
The apostille only confirms the signature and seal on your document. Each office in Botswana still sets its own rules about how recent the document must be and whether it needs a translation into English.
Vital records for Botswana
- Certified copySigned and sealed by a Maryland official
- Maryland Secretary of State16 Francis Street, Annapolis, MD 21401 · $5 per document
- Apostille attachedValid in every Hague Convention country
Notarized documents for Botswana
- Sign before a Maryland notaryThe notary's stamp names their county.
- Clerk of the Circuit Court (notary’s county)Authenticates the notary · about $1 per document
- Maryland Secretary of State16 Francis Street, Annapolis, MD 21401 · $5 per document
- Apostille attachedValid in every Hague Convention country
Cost for Botswana
| Option | Per document |
|---|---|
| Vital record, you mail it yourself | $5 |
| Any Maryland document, we file it | $50 |
| Notarized, we handle the clerk too | $50 + $1 |
| Federal (FBI check) | $57 |
Botswana: common questions
Is a Maryland apostille accepted in Botswana?
Sending a Maryland document to Botswana? Because Botswana applies the Hague Apostille Convention, the apostille is the only certification it needs. The question is which Maryland route your document takes to get one.
Do I need a translation for Botswana?
Often. Official business in Botswana is conducted in English. If your document is in English, the receiving office may ask for a certified translation into English, usually made after the apostille is attached.
Can I apostille a birth certificate for Botswana myself?
Yes. A certified Maryland birth certificate goes straight to the Secretary of State with a $5 fee. Our free guide explains each step.
What if my document for Botswana is notarized?
Then the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the notary's county must authenticate it first. We handle both offices for you.