Legalization of documents for Estonia and an apostille

What is an apostille?

An apostille is a certification that confirms the authenticity of a document for use in another country. It is designed to streamline the process of legalizing documents for international use, especially among countries that have signed the Hague Convention of 1961. An apostille verifies that the document is genuine and that the signature, seal, or stamp on it is valid. This validation allows the document to be accepted in another country without requiring additional authentication.

Wherefrom to get an apostille in your country

In most cases local notaries can add an apostille to the document.

When documents do not need an apostille

Documents issued in:

1. Belgium

2. Ireland

3. Italy

4. France

5. Denmark

6. Latvia

7. Lithuania

8. Ukraine

9. Poland

are accepted in Estonia without an apostille and must be notarized only.

Documents issued by countries not listed above and who are members of the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961 (CONVENTION ABOLISHING THE REQUIREMENT OF LEGALISATION FOR FOREIGN PUBLIC DOCUMENTS) must be apostilled to be used in Estonia. 

How full legalization works

Full legalization of documents, often required for international use, involves several steps to ensure that a document is recognized as valid in another country. Here’s how it typically works:

1. Notarization: The document is usually first notarized by a notary public. This step verifies the authenticity of the signatures on the document.

2. Certification by Relevant Authorities: After notarization, the document may need to be certified by a relevant authority, such as a state or local government office. This varies by document type and jurisdiction.

3. Consular Legalization: For countries not part of the Hague Convention, the document must be legalized by the consulate or embassy of the country where the document will be used. This process may involve additional fees and requirements.

4. Final Verification: The receiving country may have its own requirements for the document, including translation or additional certification.

5. Submission: Once fully legalized, the document can be submitted for use in the foreign country.

Always check the specific requirements of the country where the document will be used, as procedures can vary widely.