What is an apostille and why is it needed

What is an apostille and why is it needed

Apostille is a form of confirmation that a certain document is legal and valid, and not just a piece of paper.

The easiest way to understand what it is and how it works is with an example. In different countries, the documents that are issued for a child look different. If you come to another state with a Russian birth certificate, local officials may have questions: is this a legal document at all? do you really give out such ones in your country or did you print it on a color printer? But the paper can be apostilled - put a standardized stamp on it, in which the official department will indicate: yes, this is a legal document, we issue such. Then the official abroad will already take the paper seriously.

True, there is a nuance: apostilled documents are not recognized in all countries, but only in those that have joinedConvention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents / HHCH

to the Hague Convention. On the other hand, the list of states where the apostille works is rather big. So it makes sense to think about whether you can put the right stamps on your papers.

And, perhaps, it is worth doing it, even if you are not going anywhere. The apostille stamp does not have an expiration date, and therefore it is a one-time event. So it makes sense to sort out the papers right now to make it easier if you still decide to move. At the same time, it is important to understand that although an apostille is placed indefinitely, the document itself, on which it is applied, may lose its legal significance. For example, if you apostille a marriage certificate and get a divorce, then you will need to apostille the divorce certificate.

What an apostille looks like can be found in the relevant normative documentConvention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents. The stamp template will be at the very end. fill it up in RussianFederal Law No. 330-FZ of November 28, 2015 “On Apostille Apostille on Russian Official Documents to be Exported Outside the Territory of the Russian Federation”, although they may also do so in English and/or French (but are unlikely to).

What documents are apostilled

The stamp can be placed on many documentsFederal Law No. 330-FZ of November 28, 2015 “On Apostille Apostille on Russian Official Documents to be Exported Outside the Territory of the Russian Federation”. But if we talk about the starter kit, it will include:

• birth certificate - even if you are an adult (if you have it in the form of a green book, you will first have to obtain a new document);
• marriage/divorce certificates;
• education documents;
• police clearance certificate (valid in most countries for 3 months, so it is better not to receive it in advance and not to apostille).

Also, a stamp can be put on archival extracts, state documents, notarized translations and similar papers.

Where to put an apostille

There is no single place where one could put a stamp. You need to contact the department that issued the document. This is where apostilles are placed on the most common documents.

For birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates

In the registry office. Moreover, the rule “where you received a certificate, go there” literally works with respect to them. However, it is not necessary to go to the region where the paper was issued to you. You can simply “lose” the old certificate and apply for a new one at the place of residence. And then submit it for an apostille. It may be more convenient to deal with the registry office not directly, but through the MFC.

For educational documents

This is the responsibility of the body responsible for education. So, in Moscow it is the department of education and science, in St. Petersburg - the committee on science and higher education. At the same time, specify: sometimes the department is ready to accept the application online. Specialists will consider it, then it will be necessary to take the diploma, and then pick it up with a stamp.

For a certificate of non-conviction

This is done by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. You can contact them in person or through the MFC. Also, a certificate already with an apostille can be ordered through "Public Services" and then pick up its paper version.

For other documents

The principle as a whole is clear: which department issued the document, then it will be apostilled. If we are talking about other papers - for example, a notarized translation, then you need to contact the territorial body of the Ministry of Justice.

How long will the apostille take?

In general, the process should take up to five working daysFederal Law No. 330-FZ of November 28, 2015 “On Apostille Apostille on Russian Official Documents to be Exported Outside the Territory of the Russian Federation”. If you are submitting a document through the MFC, add a few more - for the delivery of documents. But departments can extend this period - mostly up to 30 days, and education authorities - up to 45 days. And often they use this right.

How much does it cost to put an apostille

It's not free. For affixing an apostille to any document, you must pay a state duty: 2,500 rubles.

What documents are needed for an apostille

The list is not very big:

• the document itself, on which the stamp will appear;
• passport;
• application - depending on the method of submission, it is filled out online or directly at the place of application. Usually, when filing in person, employees do everything for you, all that remains is to put your signature. When applying, you must indicate the country where you are supposedly or really going. If you do not plan to leave, just select any of the list of those who have joined the Hague Convention. It is not indicated in the stamp, it does not affect anything.

If you have a receipt for payment of the state duty, you can attach it - you can, but you are not required to.