Apostilles

An apostille authenticates the origin of a public document for use between countries that are parties to the 1961 Apostille Convention. Whether you need one depends on where the document was issued, where it will be used, and the receiving authority’s requirements. We can help you check the translation and certification steps before you order.

What Exactly Is An Apostille?

An apostille certifies the origin of a public document: the authenticity of the signature, the capacity of the signer, and, where applicable, the seal or stamp. It does not certify the document’s contents. The competent authority in the country where the document was issued provides the apostille. Depending on the receiving authority, you may also need a translation or notarial certification; these are separate steps. Our team can prepare a sworn translation and explain the available approval process. See our translation prices.

Why Do Certain Documents Require Apostilles?

The 1961 Apostille Convention simplifies the use of public documents between its contracting states. A document issued in one contracting state may need an apostille from the competent authority in that same country when the receiving authority asks for authentication. Requirements vary with the document and destination; some documents are exempt, and documents outside the Convention may follow a different legalization route.

An apostille does not expire solely because of its age. A receiving authority may still require the underlying document to have been issued recently. Confirm translation, notarization and document age requirements with that authority before ordering.

Source: HCCH Apostille Handbook, paragraph 306.

If you plan to use a foreign document in Türkiye, check where it was issued and what the Turkish receiving authority requires. We can prepare the relevant sworn translation and coordinate notarial certification when requested.

Can Adıgün Help Me With My Apostille Process?

Yes. Tell us where the document was issued and where you intend to use it. We will check whether a sworn translation, notarial certification, an apostille, or another legalization step is requested. An apostille must come from a competent authority in the document’s country of origin. For documents issued outside Türkiye, we can explain the requirements and coordinate services that are available to us; the issuing country’s authority decides on the apostille.

Once we have reviewed the document and destination, we will explain the appropriate order of translation and certification. The competent authority issues the apostille; translation and notarial certification are separate services and may be requested in a different order by the receiving authority. We will confirm the steps, expected timing and costs with you before proceeding.

Send us a copy of your document and tell us the country where it was issued and where it will be used. We can review the translation and available certification options, then explain the price and estimated completion time. You may submit an online request at any time; our team will respond with the next steps.