An apostille is an official certification that confirms the authenticity of a document so it can be internationally recognized in countries that are members of the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention (also known as the Hague Convention). It is a standardized stamp or certificate added to a document, such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate, diploma, Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG), certificate of free sale, or a certificate of a pharmaceutical product.
The apostille is issued by a competent authority (in the Netherlands, this is the court) and contains information about who signed the document, the signatory’s function, and the details of the issuing authority. With an apostille, a document is automatically recognized in over 120 countries that are party to the convention, eliminating the need for further legalization.
This simplifies and accelerates the use of official documents abroad by removing the need for a lengthy legalization process.
Ensure that your document is complete and accurate. Some documents, such as notarial acts or declarations, require prior notarial verification. The notary confirms the authenticity of the signature and any seals on the document. This step is crucial because the court can only issue an apostille if the document is officially verified.
In the Netherlands, the court is the authorized body to issue an apostille. You can submit the document in person at the court or send it by mail. Ensure you include all required information and payment.
The court verifies the authenticity of the notarial stamp or signature. Once the document is approved, an apostille stamp or certificate is attached. This certificate confirms that the document is authentic and can be recognized abroad.
After issuance, you can either collect the apostille in person or have it sent to you by mail. With the apostille, your document is now ready for use in all countries that are members of the Apostille Convention.
In the Netherlands, the court is the competent authority responsible for issuing an apostille. This means that for document legalization under the Apostille Convention, you need to go to the court. Other countries have similar competent authorities, such as ministries or notaries, responsible for issuing apostilles.
The process begins with the verification of the document by the competent authority. This involves checking the authenticity of the document and the validity of the signature, stamp, or seal. After verification, the apostille is attached to the document as a certificate. This certificate includes information such as the date of issuance, the name of the signatory, and the function in which they acted.
With the apostille, the document is immediately valid and recognized in all countries that are members of the Apostille Convention, without additional legalization requirements.
The difference between an apostille and legalization primarily lies in the procedures and the countries where the documents will be used. An apostille is a simplified process applicable only to countries that are members of the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention. With a single apostille stamp, issued by a competent authority such as the court in the Netherlands, a document is recognized internationally in these member countries. This makes further steps or approvals unnecessary.
Legalization, on the other hand, is a more complex process required for countries that are not part of the Apostille Convention. In this case, the document must be approved by multiple authorities. This often starts with notarial verification, followed by a check by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and finally, approval by the embassy or consulate of the country where the document will be used. Due to these additional steps, legalization generally takes longer and incurs higher costs.
The cost for obtaining an apostille is €22. Additionally, there is a service fee of €40, excluding 21% VAT. The average processing time for an apostille is 3 to 5 days. For those who need an apostille more quickly, a rush service is available at a cost of €60, excluding 21% VAT, and ensures that you receive the apostille within 1 business day.
If you need an apostille outside the Netherlands, the prices can vary depending on the country, region, and local regulations. For specific information on costs and procedures in other countries, please submit an inquiry via our contact form. We will respond as soon as possible to assist you further.
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