Armenia is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, but it applies a rule that surprises almost everyone: the translation needs legalising as well as the document. A U.S. certificate is apostilled, then translated into Armenian, and if the translation is produced abroad it must itself be apostilled or consularly legalised.
Quick facts
That double step is why translating in Armenia is often simpler: a translation made there needs no further legalisation. Doing it here means paying for two apostilles instead of one.
Fees breakdown
| Item | Cost | Issued by |
|---|---|---|
| Apostille on a U.S. state document | $3–$25 per document | Secretary of State of that state |
| Apostille on a U.S. federal document | $20 per document | U.S. Department of State |
| Apostille on the translation | $3–$25 per document | Only if translated abroad |
| Consular legalisation | Consular fee | Alternative to the apostille |
| Translation in Armenia | Charged there | No further legalisation needed |
The documents affected are the usual ones: vital records, references and notarial documents issued by foreign countries all require validation before an Armenian office will look at them.
How to prepare a document for Armenia
- Order a certified copy from the issuing office.
- Notarise private documents first, since the apostille certifies the notary.
- Obtain the apostille from the Secretary of State of the issuing state.
- Decide where to translate: in Armenia, or here with a second apostille.
- Keep the document, the apostille and the translation together as one set.
Required documents
- Original certified copy with signature and seal.
- Completed authentication request and payment.
- Photo identification for consular services.
- Prepaid return envelope for mail filings.
What the missions do
They issue passports and identity cards, process citizenship and special residency files, register civil status events, legalise documents and translations, perform notarial acts and assist Armenian citizens in difficulty.
Additional notes
Translate in Armenia where you can
It removes the second apostille entirely and is usually cheaper as well.
Baptism certificates count
For origin files, a baptism certificate from a recognised Armenian church is accepted proof, which helps families whose civil records never recorded ethnicity.
Order two copies
Armenian offices keep what they receive, and this chain has more steps than most.
Never apostille a photocopy
The certificate attaches to an original or a certified copy from the record keeper.