Cape Verde Judicial Assistance

Party to Hague Service Convention? No
Party to Hague Evidence Convention? No
Party to Hague Apostille Convention? Yes
Party to Inter-American Convention? No
Service of Process by Mail? N/A

DISCLAIMER: THE INFORMATION IS PROVIDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND MAY NOT BE TOTALLY ACCURATE IN A SPECIFIC CASE. QUESTIONS INVOLVING INTERPRETATION OF SPECIFIC FOREIGN LAWS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE APPROPRIATE FOREIGN AUTHORITIES OR FOREIGN COUNSEL.

Judicial assistance between the United States and Cape Verde is governed by the  Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (VCCR), 21 UST 77; 596 UNTS 261; TIAS 6820 (Article 5) and applicable local law. Cape Verde is not a party to the Hague Conventions on Service or Evidence. There is no bilateral treaty in force between the United States and Cape Verde on Mutual Legal Assistance in criminal matters.

Embassies and Consulates

U.S. Embassy Praia
Rua Abilio Macedo 6
Praia, Santiago, Cape Verde
Telephone: 238-260-8900 (general switchboard), 238-260-8948 (American Citizen Services)
Emergency Telephone: 238-991-3325
Fax: 238-261-1355
praiaconsular@state.gov

List of Attorneys
List of Attorneys- U.S. Embassy Praia, Cape Verde
Helpful Links
Service of Process
Cape Verde is not a party to the Hague Convention on Service Abroad of Judicial and Extra-Judicial Documents in Civil and Commercial Matters.  U.S. consular officers are generally prohibited from serving legal documents ( 22 CFR 92.85).  In the absence of any prohibition against it, service of process in Cape Verde may be effected by mail, by agent, such as a local attorney, or through letters rogatory. You may wish to consult an attorney in Cape Verde before selecting a particular method of service to attempt to ensure that the procedures you follow are in accordance with local law. This may be particularly significant if you wish to enforce a judgment issued by a court in the United States.
Criminal Matters
Criminal defendants or their defense counsel seeking judicial assistance in obtaining evidence or in effecting service of documents abroad in connection with criminal matters may do so via the letters rogatory process.
Obtaining Evidence in Civil and Commercial Matters
Cape Verde is not a party to the Hague Convention on the Taking of Evidence Abroad in Civil and Commercial Matters.
Taking Voluntary Depositions of Willing Witnesses
The U.S. embassy has been informed by the Government of Cape Verde that the laws and regulations of Cape Verde do not prohibit the taking of voluntary depositions. Depositions may be taken of willing witnesses before a U.S. consular officer from the U.S. embassy.  You may wish to consult a local attorney in Cape Verde to determine if alternative procedures are acceptable under local law.
Authentication of Documents
Cape Verde is a party to the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement for Legalization of Foreign Public Documents.  Cape Verde’s competent authority for the Hague Apostille Convention will authenticate Cape Verde public documents with Apostilles.  For information about authenticating U.S. public documents for use in Cape Verde, see the list of U.S. Competent Authorities.  To obtain an Apostille for a U.S. Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America, contact the U.S. Department of State, Passport Services, Vital Records Office.