Documents

Apostille or legalization for Cuba: which one you need

Updated: July 2026.

It’s one of the most common mix-ups — and using the wrong route costs you time and money.

An apostille is not valid for Cuba

The apostille comes from the 1961 Hague Convention. Cuba is not a party to that Convention, so an apostille is not valid for use in Cuba. Documents destined for Cuba need consular legalization, not an apostille.

So when is an apostille used?

An apostille is used for countries that are party to the Hague Convention — for example, Spain (useful for Spanish-citizenship matters). In Florida, the only authority that issues it is the Florida Secretary of State.

How legalization for Cuba works

A document typically goes through this chain: notarization or state certification → U.S. Department of State authentication → legalization by the Cuban consulate. We coordinate and handle that chain.

How we help

We tell you exactly which route your document needs and handle it. See legalizations and apostilles, or email hola@puentedeunion.com.

This guide is informational and is not legal advice.