Apostille or legalisation
They are not the same. Apostille is one track. Legalisation is another.
Which one applies depends on the destination and on what the receiving side asks for.
Send the destination with the file. We run the right one.
Notarisation usually comes first either way, because the certificate is attached to a notarised document.
75 EUR — notarisation.
75 EUR — apostille.
Per document. Charged separately.
Questions
- How do I know which one I need?
- Tell us the destination country and what the receiving party asked for. We identify the track before anything is booked.
- Do I need notarisation first?
- In most cases yes. The certificate is attached to a notarised signature or a certified copy.
- What does the apostille track cost?
- 75 EUR to notarise and 75 EUR to apostille, per document, on separate lines.
- And the legalisation track?
- Legalisation runs through additional authorities, so the cost depends on the route. We quote it once we see the destination and the document.
- What is the difference between notarization and an apostille?
- Notarisation is the act of a notary public verifying identity, witnessing a signature, or certifying a copy as authentic. An apostille is a separate certificate issued afterward that confirms the notarisation itself is valid for use in another Hague Convention country.
- What is the difference between an apostille and legalisation?
- An apostille is a simplified, single-step certification used between countries that are both members of the Hague Apostille Convention. Legalisation is a more complex, multi-step process, typically involving notarisation, government departments, and embassy or consular authentication, required when the destination country is not a Hague Convention member.
- How do I know if my country is part of the Hague Apostille Convention?
- You can check the official Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) status table, which lists every contracting party to the Apostille Convention and the date it took effect for that country. This is the authoritative source for confirming Hague Convention membership. See HCCH status table.
- Can a document issued by a foreign authority be apostilled directly?
- No. Foreign authority documents must first be notarised as a certified copy before an apostille can be issued. Civil documents such as powers of attorney or passport copies follow the same rule: notarisation first, then apostille.
- What languages can notarisation and apostille be done in?
- Apostilles can be issued in German, Spanish, Swedish and English. Notarisation can be carried out in Spanish, Swedish and English — German is not available for notarisation.
- What kind of documents can be notarised or apostilled?
- There are very few restrictions on what can be notarised or apostilled. Common examples include powers of attorney, corporate documents such as certificates of registration and board resolutions, educational documents such as diplomas and degree certificates, civil status documents such as marriage, divorce and death certificates, and wills. These are examples rather than a complete list.
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