Apostille Procedure

What is an apostille?

Apostille is an international standardized form for filling in information about the legality of a document for submitting it on the territory of countries that recognize such a form of legalization. The Apostille stamp is affixed on the original documents and their photocopies, certifying the signature and seal of the person/authority issuing the document. The Hague Convention 1961 is an international convention abolishing the requirement of legalization of foreign public documents for the countries that are party to the Convention. The Convention establishes a special mark (Apostille stamp) affixed to public documents issued in one state and subject to transfer to another state, replacing the procedure of consular legalization. Documents certified by an apostille in one of the states parties to the Convention must be accepted in another state party to the Convention without any restrictions. In Turkey, apostille certification are provided in district and regional state administrations. To obtain apostille stamp on a document, it is translated into the official language of the country where the document will be submitted, then notarized and finally get an apostille stamp.

Apostille Prices

A fee may be charged in district and regional state administrations for obtaining an apostille stamp on a document. Do not forget about the cost of translation and notarization of the document that needs to be certified. You can find out the prices by sending us the scan copy of your documents that need to get the apostille stamp – see our contacts above.

The Hague Convention does not establish the validity period of the apostille stamp, since every country determines the validity period of apostille by itself. In some countries the document with the apostille stamp is valid for 6 months, in some countries it is valid for 1 year and in some countries its validity period is indefinite.