In what cases and for which documents is an apostille required?

Apostille is a simplified procedure for legalizing documents. It applies to countries that have signed the Hague Convention. Thanks to this procedure, Ukrainians can use documents that were issued in Ukraine abroad.

Which documents require an apostille?

Not all documents are subject to legalization. For example, a foreign passport is accepted in all countries as an official document that does not require additional confirmation. There is also no need to put an apostille stamp on your internal passport. If it is requested by government authorities of another country, then it is enough to make a translation.

Work books, military IDs, customs documents, technical passports and a number of other documents also do not require an apostille.

The following documents are subject to legalization:

• issued by civil registry offices (birth, marriage, divorce, death certificates);
• educational documents (school certificates, diplomas, supplements, certificates, etc.);
• certified by a notary. When preparing documents for some countries, you will have to put a double apostille;
• issued by a court;
• certificates (on no criminal record, medical certificates).

You can check with our managers whether you need to put an apostille on the documents you need abroad. Be sure to indicate which country you are traveling to. Each state has its own requirements for documents and their execution.

The apostille stamp itself confirms the authenticity of the signatures and seals in the document. A document that has passed this procedure is considered valid and must be accepted by the government authorities of the country where you are going to. Also, do not forget about translation, because Ukrainian documents are drawn up in Ukrainian. They need to be translated into the state language. It’s better to do this in Ukraine.

In what cases is an apostille needed?

Apostille or legalization of documents is needed to submit your documents to the government authorities of another country. Most often this need arises:

• when moving to a permanent place of residence, obtaining a residence permit;
• when changing citizenship;
• upon marriage;
• in case of official employment;
• when receiving education in another country;
• when conducting purchase/sale deeds, etc.

In such situations, you need to provide the original of the requested documents with an apostille stamp. An apostille is placed either on the document itself or on a separate form that is filed with the document. In some cases, it can be placed on notarized copies.

An apostille is placed only on the territory of Ukraine if the document was issued in our country. You will not be able to get an apostille in another country or Ukrainian consulate. If your document was issued in another country, but you are a citizen of Ukraine, then you must affix an apostille in the country where the document was issued. For example, you were born in Armenia, the birth certificate was issued in Armenia, which means the apostille will need to be affixed there.

Each country has its own requirements for the legalization of documents, so we recommend you to take up this issue in advance. As we said above, you may need not only a translation, but a double apostille.