An Apostille may apply to public documents issued in Latvia for use abroad when the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention applies to the destination country and no exemption from certification is available.
An Apostille does not certify the content of a document. It certifies the authenticity of the signature, the capacity of the person who signed and, where appropriate, the seal or stamp on the public document.
An apostille is most often needed for documents submitted to foreign authorities: for marriage, studies, work, a residence permit, company registration or legal matters outside Latvia.
An Apostille may be issued for an original, a notarised copy or a notarised translation. The required option should be confirmed in advance with the receiving authority.
To avoid mistakes, we first need to see the document and know where it will be submitted. After assessing it we can advise whether you need the original, a copy, a translation or additional certification.
Apostille and legalisation requirements are a legally sensitive topic, so our content and advice rely on precise wording and official sources. The specific institution's requirements should always be checked before submission.
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.
We first clarify the destination country and document type to determine whether an Apostille applies or document legalisation is required. If the client has instructions from the receiving authority about translation or notarisation, we take them into account.
An Apostille applies to certain public documents issued in Latvia. We make an initial assessment of the specific document to determine whether an Apostille can be arranged through a sworn notary.
If the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention applies to the destination country and no exemption from certification is available, the document is authenticated with an Apostille. In other cases, legalisation may be required.
An Apostille does not replace a translation. If the document must be submitted in another language, translation and certification requirements should be confirmed with the receiving authority.
An Apostille may be required when a public document issued in Latvia is intended for use abroad and the Hague Apostille Convention applies. Translation and submission-form requirements should be confirmed with the receiving authority.
Requirements can differ for birth, marriage, education, certificate and company documents.
The country determines whether an apostille is suitable, legalisation is needed, or another document form is enough.
Sometimes the translation must be prepared after the apostille, but in other situations the translation must come first.
We first clarify the document type and destination country, then explain whether translation, notarisation, an Apostille or legalisation may be required.
We determine whether the document is a public document and whether an Apostille may apply, taking the destination country into account.
Answer 3 questions to get initial guidance on preparing your document.
The apostille discount is valid for 24 hours after completing the form.
Choose the document type. If it is not listed, choose "Other document".
Attach a photo or PDF and we will provide the price, processing time and service list for your document.
An Apostille certifies the authenticity of the signature, the capacity in which the person signing the public document has acted and, where appropriate, the identity of the seal or stamp. It does not certify the document’s content.
Most often civil status documents, education documents, certificates, powers of attorney, company documents and notarial documents.
Yes. You can send a photo or PDF of the document for the initial assessment, though in some cases the original will be needed to complete the process.
If the Apostille procedure does not apply to the destination country, legalisation may be required. The exact procedure should be clarified based on the destination country and document type.
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.
