The apostille is therefore a simplified certification that removes the need for additional legalisation. It is used between countries that are signatories to the Hague Convention. It certifies the validity of a public document and makes it legally valid in other signatory countries. The apostille thus simplifies the international recognition of documents. As a rule, it must be translated, as must the apostilled document itself.
When you have one or more documents translated that require an apostille or legalisation, Alpis Translation and Interpretation manages and oversees all the necessary steps to obtain the final required document. This may include: assistance in preparing the documents, checking the specific requirements of the destination country, identifying the relevant authorities to contact, managing deadlines and administrative formalities, and of course, translation by a sworn legal expert.
Depending on the country and the document, the procedure can vary greatly, ranging from no legalisation at all to a very lengthy process. For these reasons, the process must be carried out in a specific order. We are here to help you and spare you unnecessary back-and-forth with the ministry, the court of appeal or consulates.
Quality and Confidentiality
Alpis Translation also ensures that the translation of the documents themselves meets the required standards of quality and accuracy. This is why we systematically proofread all documents in complete confidentiality before any legalisation or apostille procedure. In any case, an apostille or legalisation is only applied to an official public document intended for a foreign country. For private documents, you must first go through a certification procedure for your documents.
Indeed, documents to be apostilled or legalised must be certified documents by a sworn legal translator. This guarantees that the translation of the document will be accepted and recognised by the relevant authorities during the authentication process.
Some examples of documents commonly translated, apostilled or legalised for businesses
- Kbis (company registration certificate)
- Articles of association
- Powers of attorney and authorisations
- Board of directors’ resolutions
- Shareholder lists
- Financial statements
- Commercial contracts
For individuals
- Notarial deeds
- Certificates of notoriety
- Civil status documents for marriage, civil partnership (PACS) or naturalisation.
Your questions about legalisation and apostille
Can I legalise or apostille a translated document without certification?
Documents to be apostilled or legalised must be sworn translations carried out by sworn legal translators.
Do I need to apostille my French documents for French authorities?
No, as the apostille is reserved for administrative and legal documents being sent from France to abroad.
Where can I apostille an American document?
American documents must be apostilled directly with the Secretary of State of the US state that issued the document.
How do I know whether a document needs to be apostilled or legalised?
Apostille or legalisation depends on international conventions issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. You can also contact us for further information.
Is it possible to legalise bilingual documents?
It is indeed possible to legalise bilingual documents in certain cases, particularly English-French or French-Spanish bilingual documents.
Is it possible to legalise trilingual documents?
However, it is unfortunately not permitted to legalise trilingual documents.
Is it possible to legalise a diploma?
The legalisation procedure for a diploma depends firstly on the type of diploma obtained. Legalisation procedures can vary from country to country, so it is advisable to check with the relevant authorities. We are also available for further information.
How do I apostille documents for Italy?
French documents for Italy are exempt from apostille, but it is necessary for the translated documents to be certified and translated by a legal expert translator.
Do I need to translate a European vehicle registration certificate?
The European vehicle registration certificate is a multilingual document, similar to your driving licence. These are normally exempt from translation as they are specific forms understood throughout the European Union.
What needs to be apostilled for naturalisation?
The documents required for apostille in a naturalisation procedure may vary depending on the specific requirements of the country where the application is submitted. However, some documents commonly apostilled for naturalisation include identity documents, birth certificates, marriage certificates, etc. It is important to refer to the guidelines and requirements provided by the relevant naturalisation authorities to determine which specific documents must be apostilled for your application. For more information, you can also contact us directly, specifying the language and the destination country for your documents to be apostilled.