# FAQs: Attesting foreign documents to use in São Tomé & Príncipe

> Frequently asked questions about legalizing foreign documents for submission to authorities in São Tomé & Príncipe - birth certificates, marriage certificates, criminal record certificates, academic documents and other documents required for Sao Tomean visa and citizenship applications.

**Source** [FAQs - Authenticating document to use in São Tomé & Príncipe](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/Sao-Tome-Principe-certify-FAQs)>
**Related:** [Attest Documents for use in São Tomé & Príncipe](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/Certify-documents-Sao-Tome-Principe) · [Apostille Sao Tomean Documents for international use](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/Sao-Tome-Principe-Legalization-Services) · [Get a Quotation](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/Document-Attestation-Inquiry)

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## General Questions

### How can foreign documents be certified for official use in São Tomé & Príncipe?
Documents issued in countries which are signatories to the Apostille Convention can be authenticated for use in São Tomé & Príncipe by obtaining an apostille stamp from the authorities of the country of issue. This Apostille stamp should be recognised directly by Sao Tomean authorities as confirming the document’s authenticity. Countries which issue apostilles include United Arab Emirates - Taiwan - Malaysia - Thailand - Qatar
Documents issued in countries which are not signatories to the Apostille Convention must be legalized in the country of issue and additional by the local Sao Tomean embassy or consulate.


### Can foreign documents required for submission to São Tomé & Príncipe be authenticated with an Apostille?
Yes - if the issuing country is a member of the Apostille Convention, then an Apostille Stamp issued in the issuing country will be accepted by Sao Tomean authorities.


### What is Sao Tomean embassy document attestation?
Document attestation by Sao Tomean embassies is a procedure to legalize foreign documents that are required for submission to authorities in São Tomé & Príncipe or in support of Sao Tomean visa or citizenship applications. Normally the document must be legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the issuing country before being submitted to the embassy for attestation. A certified translation may also be required.
Since São Tomé & Príncipe is a member of the Apostille Convention, documents issued by other countries that are signatory countries of the Apostille Convention can be legalized with an Apostille Stamp issued by the competent authority of the issuing country and do not require attestation by a Sao Tomean embassy to use in São Tomé & Príncipe.
[Check legalization procedures by country](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/country-list-authentications-apostilles)

## Other documents

### How can I certify a translation of a foreign document for use in São Tomé & Príncipe?
A first option is to carry out a translation of the document in the country of origin. If the country of origin is a signatory to the Apostille Convention, a translation certified under local law can then be authenticated with an Apostille Stamp, giving the translation validity in São Tomé & Príncipe.
If the originating country is not a member of the Apostille Convention and does issue Apostilles, a local translation will need to be certified by the originating country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and by the Sao Tomean embassy or consulate. The Sao Tomean embassy may require a translation in any case in order to attest the original document. The embassy may have specific requirements for the translation, otherwise in most countries a locally certified, sworn or notarized translation can be authenticated by the originating country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and then by the Sao Tomean embassy, making it valid for use in São Tomé & Príncipe.