Apostille and Legalization

What is legalization? What is an apostille?

Legalization is the procedure that certifies the authenticity of the signature of the document's author, the capacity in which the signatory acted, and, where applicable, the identity of the seal or stamp affixed to the document.
Unless otherwise specified by an international agreement, any French public document intended for use abroad must undergo legalization.
Both apostille and legalization facilitate the international circulation of official documents.

• They confirm the authenticity of the signature, seal, or stamp on the document, as well as the official seal of the issuing authority.
• They certify that the document has indeed been signed by a public authority.
• They do not verify or certify the content of the document. 
   

To summarize, legalization and apostille certify the following information:

• The authenticity of the signature.
• The identity and capacity in which the document’s signatory acted.
• If necessary, the identity of the seal or stamp mentioned on the document.

In practice, legalization and apostille are an official stamp added to the document.  
 

What is the difference between legalization and an apostille?

The main difference between legalization and apostille lies in their usage, procedure, and international scope. 

• Legalization is the preliminary authentication process for the signature of the authority that issued the document.
• Apostille is a simplified legalization procedure. It replaces legalization in countries where it applies, specifically those that are signatories of the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961. It certifies the same information as legalization. 
   

Legalization is therefore required between countries that are not signatories of the 1961 Hague Convention. To learn more about the Hague Convention and check whether your document requires legalization or apostille: https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/leg_-_tableau_recapitulatif_droit_conventionnel_-_04-03-19_cle8cb1b4.pdf
 

WIch documents require an apostille or legalization?

• Civil status documents (birth, marriage, death certificates)
• Diplomas and academic certificates
• Court judgments and judicial decisions
• Notarial deeds
• Administrative certificates (criminal record, residence certificates, etc.)

Examples
 

Foreign weddings
•    You are French and wish to marry in a foreign country 
•    The local authorities require your birth certificate.
•    This certificate must be apostilled or legalized to guarantee its authenticity.
 

Studying abroad
•    You are applying to a foreign university.
•    The institution requires a certified copy of your diploma and transcripts.
•    These documents must be apostilled or legalized, in order to be accepted by the university.
 

Working abroad
•    You are moving abroad for work, and your employer requires a clean criminal record.
•    This document, issued in France, must be apostilled or legalized to prove its validity.

Creating a company abroad
•    You are setting up a subsidiary of your French company abroad.
•    The local authorities require your company’s statutes and other legal documents.
•    These documents must be apostilled or legalized, to be legally recognized.
 

Adopting abroad
•    If you are adopting a child in a foreign country, the local authorities may require your marriage certificate, medical certificates, or other official documents.
•    These documents must be apostilled or legalized to ensure their authenticity.
 

Real-estate purchase abroad
•    You are buying a house abroad, and the local notaries require a power of attorney to finalize the purchase.
•    This power of attorney must be apostilled or legalized to be valid in that country.
 

Inheritance in another country
•    You are the heir to a property abroad and the authorities require a death certificate from the deceased.
•    This document must be apostilled or legalized to prove its authenticity.
 

A minor travelling abroad
•    If a child is traveling alone or with only one parent, some countries require parental authorization.
•    This authorization must be apostilled or legalized to be accepted by foreign authorities.
 

Recognition of professional qualifications
•    You are a doctor and wish to work abroad.
•    Your diplomas and certificates of qualification will need to be apostilled or legalized to be validated in this country.
 

Divorce abroad
•    You wish to have a divorce granted in France recognized abroad.
•    The divorce decree must be apostilled or legalized to be accepted by the local courts.

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