Tuvalu is a common law jurisdiction working in English, so American documents need no translation and translate conceptually without difficulty. The obstacle is that no consulate here means no consular legalisation step, so establish what the receiving office will accept before spending anything.
Quick facts
In a country of eleven thousand people, the office that will receive your document can usually be reached directly. Doing that first is worth more than any general guidance, including this page.
The routes
| Step | Who does it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Notarisation | U.S. notary public | For private documents |
| State certification | Secretary of State | Of the issuing state |
| Federal authentication | U.S. Department of State | Where required |
| Consular step | No U.S. post available | Ask what substitutes |
| Translation | Not applicable | English is official |
Documents issued in Tuvalu are certified in Funafuti, which generally requires someone there to attend in person.
How to prepare a document
- Ask the receiving office in Tuvalu exactly what it requires.
- Ask the Permanent Mission whether it can certify anything.
- Order a certified copy, or have the private document notarised.
- Complete the U.S. certifications once the route is clear.
- Send tracked and keep copies.
- Allow for very slow postage.
Required documents
- Original document with the U.S. certifications attached.
- Copy of your identification.
- Correspondence confirming the accepted route.
- Payment as instructed.
- Prepaid tracked return envelope.
What is available here
Only the Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York. It is a diplomatic mission rather than a consulate.
Additional notes
Confirm before paying
Federal authentication is slow and costs money. Do not start it until you know the document can be completed.
Small country, direct contact
You can usually reach the relevant office yourself. Do that first.
Order two copies
Postage to a remote atoll is slow and expensive.
Never certify a photocopy
The certification attaches to an original or a certified copy from the record keeper.