Guides
Learn the difference between an apostille, legalisation, an original, a certified copy and authorised translation. Each guide helps you ask the right questions before ordering or sending a document.
Start with the guide that matches the recipient’s request. Then note the exact document, country, language, requested certification and any deadline. You will have a complete basis for checking the next step without getting stuck in legal terminology.
Start here if the terminology is unclear. For a specific case, the document and the recipient’s requirements must be assessed together.
Open page 02An apostille is a standard certificate under the 1961 Hague Convention that authenticates the origin of a public document.
Open page 03Apostille is used within the Hague Convention system. Other cases may require legalisation through the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the destination country’s mission.
Open page 04An original is the issued document; a certified copy shows that the copy was compared with the original. The recipient decides what is accepted.
Open page 05EU Regulation 2016/1191 simplifies the use of certain public documents and may remove the apostille requirement within its scope.
Open page 06Check whether translation must take place before or after certification, who may translate and whether the translator’s signature must also be certified.
Open page 07Always check current status and any objections in the HCCH official status table before choosing the apostille route.
Open pageFAQ
Start with the document type, the country where it will be used and the intended recipient. If you have instructions or a checklist from the recipient, include them. This makes it easier to distinguish between an apostille, notarisation, a certified copy, translation and legalisation.
You can usually start with a clear scanned copy. If the original is needed for comparison, signature certification or an apostille, you will receive separate instructions on what to send and how to label it.
Next steps
What is an apostille? Practical guidance on document requirements, next steps and common mistakes.
Continue readingApostille or legalisation? Practical guidance on document requirements, next steps and common mistakes.
Continue readingOriginal or certified copy? Practical guidance on document requirements, next steps and common mistakes.
Continue readingAnswers about originals, copies, attendance, recipient requirements, post and data security.
Continue readingReady to organise your documents?
State the document, country and recipient. You will receive a summary that makes the next step easier to assess.
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