Legalization of a fondo negro (certified copy of a degree)
We legalize your degree's fondo negro through the GTU and get it apostilled by the MPPRE (Venezuela's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which issues apostilles). The official photographic copy of your degree, ready for use abroad.
Requesting a quote doesn't commit you to anything
- You tell us about your case. It's free.
- We send you the price in writing, within 1 to 3 hours.
- You decide. If it works for you, we start. If not, you delete it with one click and pay nothing.
No one will pressure you. Your information is used only for your case.
Is it for you?
If any of these sounds like you, this procedure is for you.
- Professionals who want an apostilled backup of their degree without exposing the original, to emigrate, work or get their degree recognized abroad
What's included and what isn't
Everything clear from the start. No fine print.
Includes
- Review of your academic documents and guidance on the right route.
- Handling of the validation with the GTU or the university authority.
- Processing of the apostille with the MPPRE through its electronic system.
- A lawyer at your side throughout the process.
- Delivery of the legalized and apostilled document.
Does not include
- The official GTU and MPPRE fees (paid separately).
- Issuing or replacing the document if you don't have it (we'll show you how to get it).
- Certified translation, if the destination country requires it (a service we also offer). Add it to your procedure ↓
- The university's prior certification, if you don't have it yet.
Add to your procedure
Check it and we include it in your quote. You decide at the end.
What you need
Check off what you already have. You don't need everything to request your quote.
You have 0 of 3.
- Original academic document in good condition
- The holder's cédula (Venezuelan national ID card)
- Details of the issuing university and the country where you'll use it
How the process works
You do very little. We take care of the rest. The whole process: on average, 5 to 10 business days.
- Step 1
You send us the fondo negro
You send us the fondo negro of your degree and your details.
You do this - Step 2
We review the route
We set the right path based on your university.
We do this - Step 3
We validate with the GTU
We handle the validation through the GTU or the academic route.
We do this - Result
Done
We process the apostille with the MPPRE and hand you the document, ready to use.
You receive it
GTU, the university document validation system, plus apostille.
What it costs and how to pay
There are two separate payments, and we want you to see them clearly.
Our fee: we do all the work for you.
The official registry fee. It goes straight to the agency, and we give you the exact amount, with its receipt, before you pay anything.
How you pay: You pay once, when we start. In dollars, in bolívares at the official BCV exchange rate, or with Cashea.
How is your investment calculated?
Your investment has two parts. What you pay us, professional fees, from $40, for handling the GTU-plus-apostille process and seeing it through with you
What's paid to the government, the official GTU and MPPRE fees, in bolívares at the official BCV exchange rate, none of which stays with us Your lawyer gives you the exact figure before you pay anything, no strings attached.
FAQ
What happens if I send my original degree abroad?
You're risking the hardest document of your life to replace. A legalized fondo negro is the official copy that travels for you.
What is a degree's fondo negro and why legalize it?
It's the certified photostatic copy of the degree; it's legalized for procedures that require it.
How much does it cost?
The professional fee, from $40, covers the GTU handling and the MPPRE apostille; official fees and shipping are separate.
Does this go through SAREN?
No. Academic documents go through the GTU and the MPPRE.
Do I need the original?
Yes, in good condition, to make and certify the fondo negro.
About this procedure
The fondo negro is the official photographic reproduction of your degree, often requested when you don't want to risk the original or when the receiving institution accepts this certified copy. It follows the same process as the degree itself: the GTU validates it nationally and the MPPRE apostilles it through its online system; it doesn't go through SAREN (Venezuela's registries and notaries service). We do it all for you: we tell you how to obtain or prepare the fondo negro, handle the GTU step, process the apostille (Hague Convention certification for use abroad) and hand it to you ready to use. It's an excellent option for having an apostilled backup of your degree without exposing the original document in every procedure. We'll advise you on whether, in your case, it's best to apostille the degree, the fondo negro, or both.
Legal framework and important notes
Código Civil (Civil Code) · 1961 Hague Apostille Convention
- The academic process is the GTU, or the university certification, plus the apostille from the MPPRE.
- SAREN doesn't legalize academic documents; it only acts as a receiving office.
- If your university is public, there's a prior certification step with the ministry.
We guarantee our service, not what the agency decides. If something depends on them, we tell you clearly and in time.
Is your case different?Ask us, message us on WhatsApp or book a free consultation. A real person answers you.