Apostille: A Short Guide for People Translating Documents Abroad

If you have ever needed to use a foreign document in another country, you have probably encountered the apostille — a small paper or electronic certificate that can be the difference between a document being accepted or rejected.

What is an apostille?

An apostille is a certificate issued by a country's government attesting that a public document (a birth certificate, court judgement, notarised deed, etc.) is genuine. It was created by the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention to replace the older, more cumbersome consular legalisation process.

Who can use it?

Only countries that have signed the Hague Convention. Today that includes most of Europe, the Americas, and an expanding list of Asian and African states. The UAE joined in 2018, which significantly simplified the process for documents moving between the UAE and other Hague countries.

Where to get one

Each country designates its own competent authority — usually the foreign affairs ministry, sometimes the supreme court. The apostille is applied to the original document (or a notarised copy) before the translation is performed.

What if my destination is not a Hague country?

Then you need full consular legalisation: the document is authenticated by your foreign ministry, then by the destination country's embassy or consulate in your country. Slower and more expensive, but unavoidable.

We handle apostille processing through our local partners as part of our consular service package.