When traveling abroad for employment, training or permanent residence, you must ensure that your Belarusian documents (passport, birth certificate, diplomas, etc.) are valid in the country of destination, that is, have legal force. This usually requires affixing the Apostille. Same way, if you came to Belarus with documents issued by foreign states, you need to go through the process of translation and legalization of documents here in Belarus.
Apostille is a simplified form necessary for the legalization of documents issued in one country for use in another state. In fact, the Apostille is a stamp that is placed on official documents, or their certified copies. This stamp contains certain information: about the place of affixing, date and witness of the document. Also, the Apostille can serve as a certification of the signature of a person, their position or action as a legal entity. Often the Apostille, in combination with the documents translation, is used to certify a previously affixed seal.
Apostille is legally valid if affixed in the country where it was issued. By the way, you can not use the Apostille as a means to legalize documents everywhere. Its effect is recognized only in those states that took part in the Hague Convention of 1961. If you plan to visit a country that is not a party to this convention, you must submit the documents for Consular Legalization.
There are three ways to affix an Apostille:
- on the original documents. Often this option may be unacceptable, for instance, the original passport can not be Apostilled;
- on notarized copies of documents;
- on document translation. The option when it is necessary to certify not only the original or copy of the documents, but also their translation, is called double apostilization.
Which documents are required for apostilization:
- Passport, birth certificate of a child or death of a family member;
- Certificate of marriage, divorce and change of surname;
- All types of diplomas and certificates of completed and incomplete higher education;
- Medical records, certificates and extracts issued by medical institutions.
- Power of attorney from family members or other persons;
- Certificates of good conduct or having no records with law enforcement agencies;
- Certificate of citizenship and place of residence;
- Court decisions;
- Documents issued by legal entities.
However, it is worth remembering that the documents on which it is planned to affix the Apostille are presented with a number of requirements: 1) bearing official stamp, registration number and signature (a mandatory and natural requirement, because the Apostille must confirm something); 2) minimum amount of handwritten text; 3) absence of a laminated coating on the documents.
In case you need to legalize documents in Belarus, or if you need translation and notarization of various documents, welcome to us. Our experts have been dealing with legalization of documents for more than 7 (seven) years and know all the legal details of recognition of documents in foreign countries, as well as in the Republic of Belarus.
