Apostille, what is it?

Apostille is required to recognize the legal validity of documents to be used abroad. This procedure certifies the validity of signatures, seals, status of persons. Apostille-certified official documents become valid in all countries party to the Hague Convention.

States parties to the Convention have renounced the requirement of full consular legalization of official documents and have switched to a simplified apostille procedure.

There are legal grounds that simplify or cancel the legalization of the document, as a result of which the apostille may not be used.

The apostille is affixed:
– on administrative documents.
– on documents on education and academic titles.
– on documents from the judiciary of Ukraine.
– on documents, from bodies of prosecutor’s office of Ukraine, bodies of justice.
– on documents issued by public and private notaries.
– on official certificates signed by persons in their private capacity, such as official certificates of registration of the document, and official and notarized signatures.

The apostille is affixed at the request of the bearer of the document or the person who signed the document. According to the 1961 Hague Convention, the apostille must conform to the model annexed to the Convention. The Apostille is drawn up either in one of the official languages ​​of the Convention or in the national language of the State.