What are the requirements for document legalization and apostille when using foreign documents in Estonia?
What is an apostille?
An apostille is an official certificate that authenticates the origin of a public document, ensuring it is recognized as valid in another country. It confirms that the signature, seal, or stamp of a notary or official authority on the document is genuine and that the person who signed it was authorized to do so.
Purpose of an apostille:
The need for an apostille arises from the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (often called the "Hague Apostille Convention"). This simplifies the use of documents issued in foreign countries in another country and eliminates the complex requirement for document legalization involving multiple certifications from various government entities and the foreign country's embassy or consulate.
Key characteristics of an apostille:
International Recognition: It's a widely accepted form of certification among countries that are parties to the Hague Convention.
Simplifies Authentication: It eliminates the need for further diplomatic or consular legalization.
Standardized Format: Although the design can vary, an apostille generally contains ten specific points of information as required by the Hague Convention.
Affixed to the Document: The apostille is usually a paper certificate attached inseparably to the original document or a certified copy.
Where to get an apostille in your country?
An apostille is always issued by the competent authority in the country where the original document was issued. You cannot get an apostille for a document in a country different from where it originated. The specific authority responsible for issuing apostilles varies by country, but in many countries, documents can be apostilled by a notary public.
Documents from the following countries do not need an apostille or legalization when used in Estonia:
Documents issued in foreign countries can be used in Estonia without an apostille or legalization in certain cases, depending on international agreements and conventions signed by Estonia:
Belgium
Ireland
Italy
France
Denmark
Latvia
Lithuania
Ukraine
Poland
When Full Legalization is Required?
If the country of issue of the document is not a member of the Hague Convention, documents typically need to go through the traditional "legalization" process, which often involves authentication by the issuing country's authorities and then by the consulate or embassy of the destination country.
The Two-Step Legalization Process:
A foreign document destined for use in Estonia should be legalized as follows:
1. In the Foreign Ministry of the country where the document was issued.
2. In the Estonian embassy in that foreign country or by the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Estonia.