Peru is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention (in force since 30 September 2010). A U.S. public document bound for Peru needs a single apostille from the competent authority of the state that issued or notarized it, or from the U.S. Department of State for federal documents. No embassy or consular legalization is required, and Peru's authorities cannot demand one.
Acceded 2010-01-13; in force 2010-09-30 (HCCH).
The route, step by step
- Identify the issuing office
State or local signature → that state’s competent authority. Federal signature → U.S. Department of State. How to tell.
- Prepare the right version
Certified copies for vital and court records; complete notarization for private documents. Preparation checklist.
- Request the apostille
Name Peru as the destination on the request form so the office issues an apostille (not an authentication certificate).
- Translate if required
Confirm with the receiving office in Peru whether a translation is needed and by whom it must be made.
Using U.S. documents in Peru
Peru’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs accepts U.S. apostilles for residency (carné de extranjería) — Migraciones requires an apostilled FBI or state check for several categories — marriage (apostilled birth certificate, single-status affidavit, divorce decree; municipal civil registries often require copies issued within 90 days), Peruvian nationality for children of Peruvians (registered at consulates without apostille, or in Peru with apostille) and property and inheritance (apostilled POAs and death certificates).
Translations must be by a traductor público juramentado in Peru or, for some uses, a traductor colegiado certificado. Peruvian notaries require POAs to be registered with SUNARP before use; the apostilled U.S. POA is protocolized by a Peruvian notary first.
Why U.S. documents are sent to Peru
- Peruvian nationality / registration of children
- residency (family, rentista)
- marriage in Peru
- education recognition
- property and inheritance
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an apostille or legalization for Peru?
An apostille. Peru is a Hague Convention member, so no embassy legalization is needed.
Who issues the apostille for Peru?
The U.S. state that issued or notarized the document, or the U.S. Department of State for federal documents — never a U.S. embassy, and never Peru’s embassy.
Does Peru require a translation?
Requirements vary by the receiving authority in Peru; translate after the apostille with the translator type they specify.
