134
Apostille is an approved form (stamp) certifying the authenticity of a document, as well as the legality of its receipt. It is impossible to confuse an apostille with notary and consular marks, thanks to a special mark.
Why do we need
The procedure for applying an apostille has been practiced since 1961, after the adoption of the Hague Convention. It implies the cancellation of requirements for mandatory consular legalization of documents. Documents that may be required for presentation in another country are certified with an apostille (the simplest example is an educational diploma issued in Ukraine, with an apostille it will have equal legal force in another country).
What is it like
Apostille in Kyiv – this is usually a rectangle with fields for filling, (the form established by the Convention). As for the methods of placement, they may differ in different countries. In Ukraine, this is a rectangle with the mandatory seal of the institution that certified the document. In other states, different forms can be used - from wax seals to stickers. The main thing is that the content of the form strictly corresponds to generally accepted standards.
In which countries does it work?
Apostille is applied and valid on the territory of the countries participating in the Convention. The list includes more than 190 states, including most countries of the former CIS, Europe, and the USA.
It is worth noting that many countries refuse to recognize an apostille if it does not comply with or contradicts the rules established by the Convention.
In what cases does it apply
The full list is defined by the Convention. Apostille is used to certify the following documents:
· archive extracts, certificates, other documents (with the exception of damaged, unreadable ones);
· confirming the receipt of education (certificate, diploma);
· issued and certified by a notary (including translations into foreign languages);
· issued by the registry office (certificates of any type);
· about the registration of legal entities (notarized copies of the Articles of Association, certificates of registration with the tax authority, TIN);
· received in judicial and controlling (prosecutor's office) bodies, the Ministry of Internal Affairs;
· official documents obtained from the authorities.
The mandatory presence of a translation of the submitted documents depends on the conditions of the receiving party. Practice shows that in most cases translation is necessary, and the following methods of apostillation are used:
· on the original document, plus a notarized translation;
· only on a notarized translation;
· on the original and the translation.
An apostille is drawn up in the country where the document was issued, and exclusively by the body whose competence (according to legislative norms) includes its drawing up, depending on the purpose of the document. In Ukraine, special departments of the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Education, the Registry Office, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Prosecutor General's Office are engaged in the processing of an apostille. For most of them, the established apostille is issued only in Kyiv.
Terms of validity and cost of registration
The validity period of the apostille is not specified anywhere. But the validity period of some documents may be limited, accordingly, the apostille is valid exactly as long as the document.
The cost of issuing an apostille should be found out exactly in the organization that offers it Diploma Apostille (without taking into account the costs of payment for the services of a notary public or intermediaries).
