Authenticating documents means making U.S. documents legally valid in Saint Kitts and Nevis, or Saint Kitts and Nevis documents valid in the United States. The process depends on whether Saint Kitts and Nevis is a Hague Apostille Convention signatory.
Saint Kitts and Nevis consulates processing authentications
When do you need authentication?
You need authenticated documents to:
- Marry abroad (FBI background check, divorce decree)
- Work or study in Saint Kitts and Nevis (diplomas, academic transcripts)
- Conduct business (corporate documents, powers of attorney)
- Inherit property or settle legal affairs
- Adopt a child or claim citizenship by descent
Required documents
- Original U.S. document (vital records, court orders, FBI check, etc.)
- Notarization by a U.S. notary (if not from a government agency)
- Authentication by the Secretary of State of the issuing state
- Apostille (Hague Convention) or consular legalization (non-Hague)
The authentication chain
For Hague Convention countries (apostille):
- Get the document notarized (if private)
- Submit to Secretary of State for apostille
- Done — apostille is recognized internationally
For non-Hague countries (consular legalization):
- Get the document notarized (if private)
- Authenticate at Secretary of State
- Authenticate at U.S. Department of State (sometimes)
- Legalize at the Saint Kitts and Nevis consulate
Costs and processing times
Consular legalization fee at Saint Kitts and Nevis consulates: typically $30-$100 per document. Total processing chain: 2-6 weeks.