LEGALISING A DOCUMENT: WHEN IS AN APOSTILLE NECESSARY?

But first... let's take a step back! What is the purpose of legalising a document?

In the other articles on this blog discussing the various post-translation services that enable a document to be made official or authenticated in another country, mention was often made of affixing additional stamps to original documents or sworn translations in order to 'legalise' them.

Unlike sworn or certified translations, which serve to certify the conformity and faithfulness between the original document and its translation, legalising a document, on the other hand, has the purpose of certifying the authenticity of the signature on it.

But what is an Apostille and what Legalisation? Are they the same thing?

Actually, both legalisation and apostille (French term) are stamps that must be affixed to a document in order to legalise it.

Therefore, they both serve the same purpose but are not exactly the same thing, as there is a determining factor that differentiates these two services, which we will see below.

In Italy they both can be requested at the:

-PUBLIC PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE for deeds signed by notaries, chancellery officials and judicial officers;

-LOCAL PREFECTURE for documents issued by municipalities, , universities, schools and chambers of commerce.

So what is the difference between Legalisation and Apostille?

The main difference between these two procedures is the country to which the document is destined.

• If the document is to be transmitted to a signatory country of the Hague Convention, it needs an apostille. Depending on the case, the authority may require the apostille to be affixed to the original document, to the sworn translation or both - this is why we also speak of a double apostille -.

• If, on the other hand, the document is destined to a country that is not a party to the Hague Convention, it will be necessary to request its legalisation.

Still in doubt and not sure whether you need a sworn, certified or legalised translation?

Contact me at info@ept-translations or fill in the form on the site, I am available for free advice or a free quote on any of the services offered by EP Translations!