Driver's License: The Certificado De Legalidad

[lulu!]

Hi all,

Does anyone have any experience getting their driver's license in Argentina?
My US license is valid but I have a DNI and it's time to get a local one.

I'm getting my papers ready and they are asking me for a Certificado de Legalidad, which they say is something I should be able to get back at the DMV in the US, but I have no idea what this document might be in English--is it just a matter of notarizing my driver's license? getting an AA international license? Is a "Legality Certificate" or some other kind of document at thing in the US (it certainly doesn't show up as an option on the DMV website...).

If anyone has acquired this magical document or has any advice on how to get one, it'd be much much appreciated.

Lulu

 

[nlaruccia]

http://baexpats.org/topic/31598-drivers-license/page__hl__+driver's%20+license#entry278989

http://baexpats.org/topic/31183-getting-international-drivers-permit-in-ba/page__hl__+driver's%20+license#entry272231

http://baexpats.org/topic/29396-driving-license/page__hl__+driver's%20+license#entry246068

http://baexpats.org/topic/25942-driver-license/page__hl__%2Bdriver%26%2339%3Bs+%2Blicense

 

[lulu!]

Thanks nlaruccia, I read through most of these and the very helpful post at http://www.discoverbuenosaires.com/drivers-license-buenos-aires but can't seem to find the answer to my question of what the "certificado de legalización" might be in the US.

Dave McComb adds that on Discover Buenos Aires that:
Unfortunately, the certificado de legalizacion cannot be obtained from the US Embassy. You must get it from the Department of Vehicles for your state and then have an apostille from the Secretary of State as well – an arduous process that not many people will undertake

still kind of wondering what the certificado de legalización might be in English/US DMV speak....
if someone has gotten one and knows what it is called, I'd love to save myself the headache of trying to figure it out at the DMV when home for the holidays! Thanks!

 

[Dublin2BuenosAires]

You could have saved yourself some finger strain there by just using the


SEARCH

FUNCTION.

 

[lulu!]

um, ok, i actually had searched for it before i had originally posted, and i read all of those posts already and i still hadn't found the answer to my specific question. that's why I asked. thought that was what people did on forums like these...

do you really get upset about posts on an expat help site? yikes.

 

[Ceviche]

do you really get upset about posts on an expat help site? yikes.

Lulu, Feel free to ask your questions here and do not get intimidated.

For this question, I do not know the answer.

However, if you ask any other questions on other topics, I will be happy to help you. Living in BA for many years.

Cheers

P.S : I have been here for a few years and I still struggle with the 'search' function and/or having to read thru a plethora of reports to finally get the info, I want.

 

[nlaruccia]

Thanks nlaruccia, I read through most of these and the very helpful post at http://www.discoverb...se-buenos-aires but can't seem to find the answer to my question of what the "certificado de legalización" might be in the US.

Dave McComb adds that on Discover Buenos Aires that:
Unfortunately, the certificado de legalizacion cannot be obtained from the US Embassy. You must get it from the Department of Vehicles for your state and then have an apostille from the Secretary of State as well – an arduous process that not many people will undertake

still kind of wondering what the certificado de legalización might be in English/US DMV speak....
if someone has gotten one and knows what it is called, I'd love to save myself the headache of trying to figure it out at the DMV when home for the holidays! Thanks!

I have a professional Argentine driver's license. American licenses aren't valid here if you have a DNI. You must get an Argentine one. I don't know why they're asking for a certificado de legalizacion. There's no canje with US driver's license, but there is with Spanish driver's license. You have to start from zero, but it's not hard. It is a subject that has been discussed at lengths in this forum. You have to take the theoretical exam and the practical exam and they give you a driver's license and voila.

 

[lulu!]

thanks ceviche! --not so much intimidated as I am surprised that fellow users are so passionate about inquiries about tramites. it actually is a little bit like being at the dmv...

if i do dare to try my old dmv i'll be sure to report back on whether they know what a "legal certificate" is. I suspect they don't or it is just the AA international license...

 

[rrptownley]

I'm not read up on the topic, but am acquainted with getting documents from home legalised and translated. In my opinion it would be much easer just to take the driving test here.

 

[BaltRochGirl]

I would contact the closest Argentine Embassy or Consulate to your city/state where your drivers license is issued, the legalization of documents can be different state to state, they should be able to give you the exact process for that state.