Apostilles in Germany

Russia and Germany are party to the Hague Convention which annuls the requirement for full consular certification. This convention simplifies the document legalization procedure by way of enabling an “apostille” to be stamped on documents (this procedure is also referred to as “simplified legalization”).

An apostille confirms the authenticity of the document signer’s signature as well as the stamp and seal of the organization where the person works. After an apostille is stamped, no additional legalization or seals of approval from any other state authorities is required.

Important considerations:

• a document can only be apostilled in the country where the document was issued (for instance, an apostille can only be stamped on a Russian document in Russia);
• embassies and consulate-generals are not authorized to stamp apostilles;
• in Germany, a Russian document with an apostille will bear legal force, but one must ask the host party whether a notarized translation into German can be done in Russia or whether the translation will be required to be done only by a sworn (court) translator in Germany.

If you find yourself in need of additional information, such as on:

• the apostilling procedure;
• the wait period;
• who the competent agencies providing apostilles on Russian documents are;
• notarized translations;

get in touch with our company. We will always provide you all the information and help prepare all the documents for Germany that you need!