Documents & Certification · Global
What is legalisation (and how is it different from an apostille)?
Simple answer
Legalisation is the traditional multi-step way to prove a document’s official origin for use abroad — usually involving authorities in the issuing country and then the destination country’s embassy or consulate. It is not the same process as an apostille.
What it means
Where the Apostille Convention does not apply, countries often require a “chain” of stamps: local certification, then foreign ministry (or equivalent), then the embassy/consulate of the country where the document will be used. An apostille replaces that chain only between Convention parties.
What you may need to do
Identify the destination country and whether an apostille is accepted for your document type. If legalisation is required, follow the sequence published by your foreign ministry and the relevant embassy — do not skip steps or swap an apostille for legalisation (or the reverse).
Country / visa warning
Apostille and legalisation are not interchangeable labels. Using the wrong process can delay a visa file. Requirements also differ by document type (birth certificate vs degree vs police certificate).
Next action
Check your route’s document list, then confirm the authentication path with the official source linked for that document — or ask your appointed panel professional once a case is allocated.
Government source: www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/specialised-sections/apostille/ · Reviewed
Vetted panel partners · Information reviewed with regional partners · Appointed panel reviews and submits where appointed