If you are a citizen of Ukraine and are planning a long stay abroad (for the purpose of getting an education, work, marriage, permanent residence, etc.), then it is important for you to know how to properly issue and legalize Ukrainian documents so that they are recognized in another country.
What is legalization?
Legalization is the confirmation of the authenticity of a Ukrainian official document so that it has legal force abroad. The procedure depends on the country you are going to.
There are two main ways:
- Apostille is a simplified form of legalization. It is used for countries participating in the Hague Convention of 1961.
- Consular legalization is a more complex procedure required for countries that are not members of the Hague Convention.
When is an apostille needed?
If you are going, for example, to Poland, Germany, Italy, France or other European countries, it is enough to put an apostille. In this case, this must be done in Ukraine. Foreign authorities do not put an apostille on documents issued in another country. In such a way you can legalize:
- References, certificates (birth, marriage, death, divorce).
- Diplomas and school certificates.
- Documents issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Ukrainians who are already abroad can contact Kyiv Regional Translation Agency. Our managers will provide a free consultation on obtaining an apostille stamp, and will also help legalize Ukrainian documents, regardless depending on where in the world you are now.
When is consular legalization required?
If you are traveling to countries that have not signed the Hague Convention, you will need to undergo full consular legalization, which includes:
- Notarization (if necessary).
- Legalization in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.
- Legalization at the consulate of the destination country.
The process can take up to several weeks, so we recommend preparing for this task in advance.
What documents most often require legalization?
- Birth, marriage and divorce certificates.
- Diplomas, school certificates, academic certificates.
- Police clearance certificates.
- Notarial powers of attorney.
- Medical certificates and reports.
What else do you need to know about legalization?
Regardless of whether you need legalization or apostille, consider the following points:
- Always check the requirements of the host party - they may differ depending on the country, government agency, and purpose of stay.
- Translation of the document into the language of the host country is usually mandatory - without it, documents with an apostille or consular legalization will not be accepted.
- In some cases, the translation must be notarized.
Preparing documents for living abroad is an important stage. Compliance with the rules of legalization will save you from many legal problems in the future. Therefore, contact Kyiv Regional Translation Agency for an apostille or consular legalization. Our managers regularly issue apostilles for clients and help with consular legalization. You also receive a translation and notarization - all in one Agency.
