Document legalisation may be required when the Hague Apostille Convention procedure does not apply to the destination country. The specific procedure depends on the country of issue and destination country.
Before preparation, we clarify the destination country and document type. If the client has instructions from the receiving authority, we take them into account. Depending on the document, an Apostille, legalisation, translation or a notarised copy may be required.
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. It depends on the country where the document will be used and the specific institution's requirements.
Legalisation may be needed for countries or situations where an apostille is not sufficient.
Sometimes yes. The sequence needs to be established before preparing the translation and certification.
Apostille is usually used for countries that recognise the Hague Convention procedure. Legalisation may be needed when the destination country does not apply that procedure or requires another confirmation route.
Yes. A photo or PDF is enough for the first review, although the original may be needed before final preparation.
Attach the document and the institution's instructions, if available.
