Updated
GL-L-08
01 / In 30 seconds
The short answer
- What it is
- The sequence of steps after which your document is recognised in another country
- Two routes
- An apostille if both countries are parties to the convention; consular legalisation if not
- The main rule
- The order of steps is strict: get it wrong and you will have to start again
- Where mistakes are most often made
- The document is translated before the apostille, or the translation is certified in the wrong place
- How long it takes
- From a few days to several months, depending on the country and the document
02 / In plain words
What Legalization chain means
The legalisation chain is the sequence of steps after which a document issued in one country is recognised in another. Put simply: your certificate on its own means nothing abroad until it has gone through the established confirmation procedure.
There are two routes. If both countries are parties to the Hague Convention, an apostille is enough — a special stamp of the competent authority. If at least one of them is not, consular legalisation applies: the document is certified in turn by several authorities and at the consulate of the destination country. The second route is longer and more expensive.
The main difficulty is the strict order of steps. First the document, with a notarised copy if needed, then the apostille or legalisation, and only then a translation certified under the rules of the receiving country. Swapping the steps is a typical and costly mistake: most often the whole chain has to be started again.
A case from practice
A client had the documents translated at home and the apostille added afterwards — the receiving side did not accept the set. The chain had to be gone through again, losing several weeks and incurring repeat costs. Here the order of steps matters more than speed.
When legalisation is needed
- Applying for citizenship or residence
- Registering a marriage abroad
- Recognition of a diploma
- Estate administration
- Company registration
- Court and notarial proceedings
03 / What it covers
What the chain consists of
Document
- Original or duplicate
- How recently it was issued
- The correct form
Certification
- Notarised copy
- Confirmation of authenticity
- Apostille or legalisation
Translation
- After the apostille
- Sworn or certified
- Under the rules of the receiving country
Timing and money
- State fees
- Timing for each step
- Courier delivery
04 / How it works
The right order of steps
Obtain the document in the required form
Notarial acts if needed
Apostille or consular legalisation
Translation under the country’s rules
Filing with the receiving authority
05 / Key facts
What you need to know
01
An apostille works only between convention countries
02
Consular legalisation is longer and more expensive
03
The translation is done after the apostille, not before
04
Some documents have a limited period of validity
05
The receiving authority’s requirements are checked in advance
Common mistakes
- Translating a document before the apostille
- Having the translation certified in the wrong country
- Apostilling a copy instead of the original, or the reverse
- Collecting documents too early so that they expire
- Following friends’ advice instead of the authority’s requirements
06 / Expert advice
How to prepare in advance
Start with the requirements of the particular authority where the documents are to be filed: what form of document is needed, in what order to certify it, and where exactly the translation must be done. Then build a timeline that takes validity periods into account — some certificates are valid for a limited time, and starting too early is as harmful as starting late.
What we do for you. We draw up a document map for the specific programme: what exactly is needed, in what form, in what order to certify it and where to translate it. The client follows a ready-made route rather than finding out the requirements by trial and error.
Anna KovalevskayaLead lawyer for EU citizenship and residency, 12 years of practice
07 / Questions
Frequently asked questions
The sequence of steps after which a document from one country is recognised in another: certification, an apostille or consular legalisation, translation.
An apostille if both countries are parties to the Hague Convention. If at least one is not, consular legalisation is needed — it takes longer.
After the apostille has been added. If you translate earlier, the stamp on the original will be left untranslated and the set will not be accepted.
As a rule, under the rules of the receiving country — often by a local sworn translator. This is confirmed before translating.
From a few days to several months. It depends on the country, the type of document and the chosen legalisation route.
Some do, especially certificates. That is why the collection timeline is built so that they do not expire before filing.
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