Apostille
Apostille
An international stamp confirming that a document is genuine and will be accepted abroad. It works between countries of the Hague Convention of 1961. Without an apostille a document abroad is just a piece of paper.
- What it is
- A stamp by which a country certifies a document as genuine for use abroad
- Where it applies
- Citizenship and residence, marriage, study, transactions — between Hague Convention countries
- When it does not work
- If the country is outside the convention, consular legalisation is needed
- Sequence
- Apostille first, then sworn translation
- Can you prepare
- Yes: draw up a list of documents and a schedule for the programme
In plain words
An apostille is a special stamp by which a country certifies that your document is genuine: it was issued by a real authority, and the signature and seal are authentic. With this stamp, a birth certificate, a criminal record certificate or a diploma will be accepted in another country without further checks.
The apostille works between the countries of the 1961 Hague Convention, of which there are more than a hundred. If both countries are party to the convention, one apostille is enough. If the receiving country is not a party, a simple stamp is not sufficient: consular legalisation is needed there — a longer chain through the foreign ministry and the consulate.
In practice the apostille is placed on the original document or on a notarised copy in the country that issued the document. After that, a sworn or notarised translation into the language of the receiving country is usually required. The order matters: first the apostille, then the translation — otherwise the translation will not cover the stamp itself.
Which documents are apostilled
How the apostille works
- The document is genuine
- The signature is authentic
- The seal is authentic
- Hague Convention countries
- 120+ states
- One stamp between them
- On the original
- Or on a notarised copy
- In the country of issue
- Apostille first
- Then sworn translation
- Otherwise the translation will not cover the stamp
How to obtain an apostille
- 01Obtain or certify the document
- 02Have it apostilled in the country of issue
- 03Sworn translation
- 04Check against the programme’s requirements
- 05The document is ready to file
What you need to know
- The apostille works only between Hague Convention countries
- Outside the convention consular legalisation is needed — it takes longer
- The order matters: apostille first, then translation
- The stamp itself does not expire, but programmes ask for a recent document (3-6 months)
- Without an apostille a document has no legal force abroad
Timelines
- Where it is placed
- In the country that issued the document (the competent authority)
- What is needed afterwards
- A sworn or notarised translation
- Validity
- Programmes often require a document no older than 3-6 months
- If the country is outside the convention
- Consular legalisation through the foreign ministry and consulate — takes longer
Common mistakes
- Doing the translation before the apostille — it will not cover the stamp
- Apostilling a document too early, so that it is out of date by filing
- Forgetting that countries outside the convention require legalisation
- Putting the apostille on the wrong copy (original/copy)
- Not confirming the particular programme’s translation requirements
What this means for a BRIDGES client
We draw up a full list of documents for your programme in advance and indicate which of them need an apostille and in what order they should be translated. That way you do not redo papers a second time or lose weeks because a stamp was put in the wrong place.
Frequently asked questions
01 /How long is an apostille valid?
The stamp itself does not expire, but immigration programmes often require the document to be recent — usually no older than 3-6 months. That is why criminal record certificates and statements are apostilled closer to filing.
02 /What if the country is not party to the Hague Convention?
Then an apostille will not do — consular legalisation is needed. It is a longer process through the foreign ministry and the consulate of the receiving country. We will tell you which route your pair of countries requires.
03 /Is a translation needed after the apostille?
As a rule, yes — a sworn or notarised translation into the language of the receiving country. It is important to do the translation after the apostille so that it covers the stamp as well.
04 /Is the apostille placed on the original or a copy?
It depends on the document and the country: sometimes on the original, sometimes on a notarised copy. This is confirmed in advance so that nothing has to be redone.
05 /Can a document be apostilled in another country?
No. The apostille can only be placed by the country that issued the document. So certificates from different countries are each apostilled in their own country.
06 /Who places the apostille?
The competent authority of the country of issue — usually the ministry of justice, the foreign ministry or another designated body, depending on the type of document.
See also
Read next
This material has undergone editorial review by BRIDGES.
Prepare documents without having to redo them?
We will draw up a list for your programme and a schedule for apostilles and translation, so that the papers are accepted first time.