We check the document type, destination country and receiving institution requirements to understand whether apostille, legalisation or translation is needed.
The check starts with three questions: what the document is, which country it will be submitted to, and what requirements the receiving institution has stated. Only then can it be reliably determined whether the apostille should go on the original, a copy or the translation.
It is important to determine whether the document is a public document, a notarial document, a certificate, a civil status document, an education document or a company document.
Requirements for the document form and translation may differ between receiving authorities. They should therefore be confirmed with the specific authority where the document will be submitted before ordering.
PFAT assesses the document and prepares it for submission. Since 1 July 2019, apostilles for public documents in Latvia are issued by sworn notaries. Requirements can vary by country and receiving authority, so also check the current procedure in the official sources.
We help prepare personal, educational, legal and company documents for translation, certification and submission in Latvia or abroad.
Before an Apostille is prepared, we review the document and clarify the destination country and purpose of submission. If the client has instructions from the receiving authority about the original, copy or translation, we take them into account. In Latvia, Apostilles are issued by sworn notaries and signed only electronically.
We clarify the issuing authority, date and document form. The client should confirm the submission requirements with the receiving authority.
Based on the destination country, we determine whether the Apostille procedure applies or legalisation is required. The client confirms any separate receiving-authority requirements for the document form and translation with that authority.
Different institutions in the same country may have different requirements for the document form, copy, translation or its certification.
An apostille check helps understand whether the document can be prepared right away, or whether a new document must first be requested, a translation prepared, or legalisation chosen.
Once the document format and applicable procedure are clear and the client has provided any necessary receiving-authority requirements, we can begin preparing the document.
Sometimes the institution, language, original or the document's validity period needs clarifying.
If the Apostille procedure does not apply to the destination country, legalisation or another prescribed certification procedure may be required.
A photo or PDF lets us start the check without unnecessary waiting.
Sometimes, but it is safer to also know the document type and the requirements of the institution where it will be submitted.
No. After the check, a translation, notarial certification or additional preparation may be needed.
An apostille certifies the origin of a public document for use in another country. It does not confirm the content itself, but helps the receiving institution verify the signature, seal or official capacity.
Yes, a photo or PDF is enough for the first assessment, although the original may be required later.
Part of the preparation can start remotely after reviewing a photo or PDF of the document. If the original is required, we explain it before the next step.
The correct order depends on the destination country and the receiving institution. We check whether apostille, translation, notary certification or legalisation should come first.
Since 1 July 2019, Apostilles in Latvia have been issued only by sworn notaries and signed only electronically. PFAT can help prepare documents for the Apostille process.
Attach a photo or PDF and we will provide the price, processing time and service list for your document.
