The company Schmidt & Schmidt provides services for the reclamation of civil status documents, as well as obtaining duplicates, lost or damaged documents in Antigua and Barbuda with their subsequent legalization and translation.

It often happens that civil status documents are lost or damaged, or it is necessary to obtain current copies of documents. In this case, it is necessary to reclaim duplicates of documents. Often, those who have left Antigua face difficulties in this procedure. Our service allows you to reclaim documents in Antigua remotely, and we can carry out courier delivery of the document to anywhere in the world.

Validity of Civil Status Documents in Antigua and Barbuda

Civil status documents issued in Antigua are generally valid indefinitely. However, the receiving party may impose time limits.

When to get duplicate documents in Antigua and Barbuda

A duplicate birth certificate, marriage certificate, name change certificate, divorce certificate, criminal record certificate or death certificate may be required to register a marriage abroad, a newborn child, citizenship, inheritance, data verification for pension applications, opening bank accounts, employment and other bureaucratic issues.

What documents may be required in Antigua and Barbuda

• Birth certificate
• Marriage certificate
• Certificate of change of surname
• Divorce certificate
• Death certificate
• Certificates of good conduct
• Educational documents
• Other civil status documents

Birth certificate

A birth certificate is an official document provided by the Registrar or acting Registrar of the relevant Civil or Consular Register. It verifies details of an individual's birth, including the date, sex, and, if applicable, the time of birth and family relationships.

The procedure to obtain a birth certificate in Antigua and Barbuda involves the completion of a designated application form which can be downloaded from the High Commissions website. After gathering the necessary documents and paying the necessary fees the submission can be sent to the Civil Registry at the High Court in St. John´s, Antigua and Barbuda. For applicants residing in the UK, the Antigua and Barbuda High Commission in London offers services to obtain replacement birth certificates.

Required documents

• Completed application form
• Color copy of Passport
• Proof of Kinship (if applicable)

Marriage certificate

In Antigua and Barbuda, a marriage certificate is an official document that records the legal union between two individuals. To obtain a marriage certificate, you must first go through the process of getting married, which involves obtaining a marriage license and fulfilling certain legal requirements.

To begin, you need to determine the type of marriage license you require. There are two options: an Ordinary License and a Special License. An Ordinary License requires at least one of the parties to have been a resident of Antigua and Barbuda for a minimum of 15 days immediately before applying. In contrast, a Special License has no residency requirement, making it suitable for non-residents or visitors.

Required documents

• Valid ID
• Proof of marital status
• Proof of name change (if applicable)

Divorce certificate

In Antigua and Barbuda, a divorce certificate serves as official documentation confirming the legal dissolution of a marriage. To obtain a divorce certificate, you must first complete the legal process of divorce through the court system. Once the divorce is finalized, you can request a certified copy of the divorce decree, which acts as the divorce certificate.

After the divorce is final you can apply for a certified copy from the Civil Registry. The application can be delivered in person, via courier or post.

Required documents

• Valid ID
• Marriage certificate
• Completed application form

Death certificate

The death certificate serves as an official confirmation of an individual's death. It is required for settling the deceased's estate, claiming life insurance and closing financial accounts. These documents can be obtained through the provincial vital statistics office.

The procedure for obtaining a death certificate involves the registration of the death at the Civil Registry of the High Court in Antigua and Barbuda. After the death is registered, the Civil Registry issues the death certificate, usually within a few days. The certificate is provided in English and includes details such as the cause of death. The request involves completing the application form and presenting the required documents.

Required documents

• Valid ID
• Completed application form

Police clearance certificate

A criminal record certificate, also known as a police certificate, is a document used to verify an individual's criminal record or confirm the absence of one. It is required for employment in sensitive fields, visa or immigration applications, volunteering, firearm permits and adoption proceedings.

To obtain a Police Clearance Certificate from Antigua & Barbuda, you must complete the designated application form, ensuring all sections are filled out in BLOCK CAPITALS using black ink. Additionally, include a detailed cover letter explaining the reason for your request. You will also need to provide a full set of 10 fingerprint impressions, taken by a qualified fingerprint officer from an authorized agency. The original fingerprint card must be submitted along with your completed application form by post.

Required documents

• Ten digit fingerprints
• Old passport copy (with stamp and visa pages)
• Valid Passport
• Completed application form
• Five passport size photographs

Educational documents

Foreign educational documents only carry the same legal value as if they are exempt from legalization or have undergone the necessary legalization process. Documents from countries with bilateral agreements with Antigua & Barbuda are fully exempt from legalization. Documents from countries that are part of the Hague Convention of 1961 undergo a simplified procedure called apostille. If neither countries are part of the convention or have bilateral agreements they undergo consular legalization

Commercial documents cannot be apostilled. Therefore, if you received a certificate of educational courses from a private company, which does not have an educational license, you will not be able to certify it with an apostille. Only documents from certified educational institutions with an official state license can be legalized through the apostille procedure.

Steps to obtain an apostille

Begin by submitting the document (such as a diploma or certificate) to the relevant authority for authentication. This is typically the Ministry of Justice of Antigua & Barbuda or other designated bodies, depending on the nature of the document.

The designated authority will verify the document's legitimacy. Once the document is authenticated, it will be eligible for the apostille process.

After authentication, the document is sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Antigua & Barbuda for apostille certification. The MFA is the official body responsible for affixing the apostille to the document.

Once the apostille is attached, the document is certified as authentic and legally valid for use in other countries that are signatories to the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents.

Steps for consular legalisation

Begin by submitting your document (such as a diploma or certificate) to the appropriate authority for authentication. This is typically the Ministry of Justice or other relevant government bodies. The specific requirements for authentication, such as notarization, translation, or additional supporting documents, may vary depending on the authority.

Once the document has been authenticated by the relevant authority, it should be submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). The MFA will verify the document and may request further supporting documentation or charge a fee. Processing times can vary depending on the workload.

After the MFA has certified the document, it must be taken to the embassy or consulate of the country where the document will be used. You may need to make an appointment or submit additional documents, and fees could apply for the certification. Processing times may differ depending on the embassy's requirements.

Once the embassy or consulate has legalized the document, it will be returned to you, and you can use it in the destination country for its intended purpose. Please note that the overall process may take some time due to the multiple stages involved.

You can always contact Schmidt & Schmidt, we have extensive experience in the legalization of a variety of documents and we provide all the necessary services in this area, including the making of notarized copies, translation, preparation of the necessary powers of attorney, legalization of documents before government agencies and foreign consulates, as well as delivery of finished documents to most countries in the world.