Apostille or Legalisation?

Option 1: Apostille for a Convention route

Use this when the document is a qualifying public document, the destination route is covered by the Apostille Convention, and the destination has not requested a different formality. The certificate comes from the competent authority designated by the place of origin. Confirm the correct authority rather than sending the document to an unrelated ministry.

Option 2: Authentication followed by consular legalisation

Use this when the Convention route is unavailable or the destination's instructions require a consular chain. A signature or seal may first need authentication by an authority in the place of issue, followed by the destination embassy or consulate. The exact sequence is country and document specific, so do not assume every document takes the same path.

Option 3: Exemption, treaty, or direct acceptance

Some destinations, document types, bilateral arrangements, or receiving bodies remove or simplify authentication. Ask whether the document can be submitted directly, whether a multilingual form is available, and whether the recipient wants an original, certified copy, or electronic record. An exemption should be confirmed in writing.

Option 4: A document route that includes translation

Authentication does not normally translate the underlying document. If the recipient cannot work in the document language, arrange an accepted certified or sworn translation and ask whether the translation itself must be notarised, apostilled, or attached to the original. Translation requirements can be separate from authentication.

How Nomadic Go helps

Nomadic Go can review the origin and destination facts, identify whether the request appears to fit an apostille or legalisation route, and coordinate the approved document-handling service. We ask for the recipient's instruction because a general online description cannot guarantee acceptance. A professional quote is prepared for the agreed scope. Authority charges, courier, translation, replacement documents, and unusual prerequisites are separate unless expressly included. We do not issue an apostille ourselves, create an authenticity certificate in place of an authority certificate, or provide tax services.

Does an apostille mean that the destination must accept the document?

No. The Hague Convention concerns the authenticity of the public document's signature, seal, or stamp for the Convention route. The receiving authority can still require a particular document, translation, issue date, format, or substantive eligibility. Ask the recipient before ordering.

Is legalisation the same as an apostille?

No. An apostille is the simplified certificate used on an eligible Convention route. Legalisation is commonly used for a chain of authentication and consular or embassy steps where the Convention does not apply or a different formality is required. Local terminology varies, so confirm the route.

Can an electronic apostille be valid?

The HCCH says an official e-Apostille has the same validity as a paper apostille under the Convention and cannot be refused merely because it is electronic. The receiving organisation may still specify its accepted file, verification, or submission method.

Do I need to notarise a document before an apostille?

Not always. Public documents often go directly to the competent authority, while private documents may need a notarial act or another qualifying certification first. Notarising a document unnecessarily can change the route, so follow the competent authority and recipient instructions.

Can one apostille cover several documents?

Do not assume so. Authorities commonly treat each eligible document or certificate as a separate item, and a document bundle may have different signatures or issuers. Have the full set reviewed and obtain the authority's item rule before submission.