On September 18, 2017 entered into force for the Republic of Guatemala the CONVENTION SUPPRESSING THE REQUIREMENT FOR LEGALIZATION OF FOREIGN PUBLIC DOCUMENTS (LA APOSTILLA).
Apostille is a simplified method of legalization of documents, only valid between the countries part of this agreement, so if the country where you need to use the document is not part then it will be necessary the usual diplomatic or consular legalization.
The agreement does not contemplate obviating the legalization of the documents to which it refers, but the legalization is done through an authority that can “APOSTILLAR” the documents. The apostille reduces the number of interventions in the countries of law, but does not completely eliminate the legalization.
According to the agreement the following are considered as public documents:
a) Documents emanating from an authority of an official linked to a state jurisdiction, including those from the public prosecutor’s office, or from a secretary, officer or judicial officer;
b) Administrative documents;
c) Notarial documentThe agreement does not apply to
a) Documents issued by diplomatic or consular agents
b) Administrative documents that refer to a commercial or customs operation.
Documents issued in a State party to the Convention shall be apostilled by the competent authority thereof and to be admissible in Guatemala, they shall no longer have the legalization of Guatemalan diplomatic and consular missions or the authentic department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.