Picture this: You’re excited about moving abroad. Maybe it’s Spain. Maybe it’s Brazil. Suddenly, you’re hit with Good 2 Go Mobile Notary Plus like “apostille,” “authentication,” and “legalization.” Your paperwork now looks more like a riddle than a passport to a new life. Here’s the thing nobody tells you: it doesn’t have to cost a fortune or pull out every hair on your head.

The standard advice? Hire a “official” service and fork out hundreds—sometimes thousands—of dollars. They sweet-talk you with guarantees and promises. Here’s the hack: skip the middleman. Did you know you may undertake most apostille processes directly with your state’s Secretary of State office? No secret handshakes. No extra bank fees. Just download the form, fill it in, pay the small fee—typically under $20—and mail it off. That’s it. You don’t require Sherlock-level sleuthing.

Now, a hazard to watch out for: fraudulent sites. Type “apostille service” into your search bar and prepare yourself. Some charge as much as a plane ticket. Stick to your state’s official government website. That’s your compass here. Most have explicit, step-by-step directions. If you’re uncertain, pick up the phone and call. Yes, human beings still answer those!

Let’s talk timing. If someone tells you that acquiring an apostille quickly (and at a high cost) is your only choice, grin and walk away. With some planning, the process usually doesn’t take more than two weeks. If you tend to put things off, don’t wait until the last minute unless you have a lot of money to spend.

One of my friends once spent $500 to get a single paper done quickly. After she called the government directly, she found out that her state finished it in three working days for $15. She could have used that money to buy tapas or caipirinhas instead of stapling papers.

Here’s a surprise: not all papers need an apostille. Check again where you’re going and what you’re doing. Some nations don’t need certain documents. Think about skipping a whole step and still keeping your piggy bank safe.

In the end, a little bit of research and some patience can help you keep a lot of money where it belongs: in your pocket. Tell the next traveler with big eyes what you know. No gatekeeping. One apostille at a time, let’s make crossing borders a little less expensive and a lot less annoying.