Legalization of documents is a procedure that authenticates the documents, or rather the signatures of authorized persons and seals of organizations. This is necessary in order for other countries to accept and recognize the documents of foreign citizens. Thanks to the legalization of birth certificates, marriage certificates, diplomas and references come into effect.
However, there are situations when legalization is not necessary. Let's figure it out together when there is a need to authenticate the documents, and when it is not.
Agreements between countries
The legalization procedure takes too long. Therefore, to simplify the process, the states sign special agreements. For example, all the Hague Convention signatories use an Apostille, which does not require mandatory consular legalization. It should be clarified that this form does not replace the need to confirm the authenticity of signatures, but it greatly simplifies and speeds up the process.
International treaties make it possible not to legalize documents issued by authorized institutions on the territory of the state that signed this treaty.
For example, there is the Minsk Convention signed by Ukraine, which allows our citizens not to legalize documents, as well as not to affix an Apostille for the CIS member states. It is enough to make a notarized translation.
To travel to Ukraine, you do not need to legalize documents issued in the Czech Republic and Poland. It is enough to translate certificates, diplomas and references into Ukrainian and notarize them. The need for legalization or apostilation of Ukrainian documents for Poland and the Czech Republic should be clarified depending on the receiving party’s requirements.
Most of the documents issued in Ukraine are accepted in Georgia and Macedonia. Additional authentication is not required. An exception is the documents issued by the tax office.
There are a number of countries that accept documents issued to institutions of justice on the territory of Ukraine with no legalization. These are Cyprus, Vietnam, Egypt, Greece, Turkey, Slovenia and some others. International agreements simplify many procedures, which allows you to resolve issues with residency, studying, working in another country quickly and efficiently.
Separate documents
Not all types of documents are subject to legalization. There are various grounds for this, supported by international law.
Apostille and legalization are not required for the following documents:
- related to trade and customs operations;
- issued by diplomatic and consular missions;
- work record books;
- military registration cards;
- bank accounts and statements;
- vehicle registration certificate;
- national or international passport.
Whatever treaties are concluded between the countries, we recommend that you clarify the requirements for certain documents. It is not often that institutions may not accept certificates or diplomas without an Apostille if there are bilateral agreements. All requirements should be clarified directly with the institution where you plan to submit documents issued on the territory of Ukraine.
