Sao Tome and Principe recognizes apostilles issued by the Maryland Secretary of State. Before you send anything, check whether your document can go straight to Annapolis or needs the county clerk first.
Sao Tome and Principe has applied the convention since September 13, 2008. 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 Sao Tome and Principe still sets its own rules about how recent the document must be and whether it needs a translation into Portuguese.
Vital records for Sao Tome and Principe
- 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 Sao Tome and Principe
- 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 Sao Tome and Principe
| 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 |
Sao Tome and Principe: common questions
Is a Maryland apostille accepted in Sao Tome and Principe?
Sao Tome and Principe recognizes apostilles issued by the Maryland Secretary of State. Before you send anything, check whether your document can go straight to Annapolis or needs the county clerk first.
Do I need a translation for Sao Tome and Principe?
Often. Official business in Sao Tome and Principe is conducted in Portuguese. If your document is in English, the receiving office may ask for a certified translation into Portuguese, usually made after the apostille is attached.
Can I apostille a birth certificate for Sao Tome and Principe 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 Sao Tome and Principe is notarized?
Then the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the notary's county must authenticate it first. We handle both offices for you.