Document legalisation for use abroad is needed when a document is to be submitted in another country and the receiving authority requires a specific certification procedure.
Before preparing documents, clarify the destination country, institution and document type. One country may accept an apostille alone, while another may require legalisation, translation or a notarised copy. The correct order helps avoid rejection.
Document requirements can differ even within the same country, so before processing it is important to know not only the country but also the specific institution.
Civil status documents, education documents, certificates, powers of attorney and company documents are often submitted abroad. Each document type can have its own processing sequence.
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.
The legalisation procedure is determined by the country of issue and the destination country. Separately, the receiving authority may specify which document, copy or translation must be submitted.
We clarify the document type and destination country to determine the applicable Apostille or legalisation procedure. The client should confirm document-format and translation requirements with the receiving authority.
If the client has instructions from the receiving authority about the original, a notarised copy, a translation, an Apostille on the original or additional certification, we take them into account.
If a set of several documents is being submitted, we arrange them in one order so each document is prepared according to the requirements.
For documents intended for use abroad, knowing just the country is not enough. The receiving institution, such as a university, bank, court, employer or government body, is often decisive.
We clarify which certification procedure applies to the document and what submission-form requirements the client has provided.
Before ordering, confirm with the receiving authority whether an original, copy or translation must be submitted and what type of certification is required. If you have the authority's instructions, send them with the document.
If several documents must be submitted, we arrange them in one logical order.
When preparing the document, we take into account the document type, destination country and any receiving-authority instructions provided by the client regarding language or certification.
We start with the country and the specific institution where the document will be submitted.
No. The applicable procedure depends on the document type and destination country; the client should confirm any specific submission requirements with the receiving authority.
Where the Hague Apostille procedure applies, the document is authenticated with an Apostille. If that procedure does not apply and no exemption exists, legalisation may be required.
Sometimes yes. The sequence needs to be established before preparing the translation and certification.
An Apostille is used where the Hague Apostille procedure applies to the document and destination country. Legalisation may be required if that procedure does not apply and no exemption exists.
Legalisation is usually required for countries that haven't joined the Hague Convention. Requirements vary by destination country and institution, so we confirm the correct procedure before starting your order.
Attach the document and the institution's instructions, if available.
