23 Dec Apostille and Legalization: What Are They and When Are They Needed?Answers to All Your Questions
Do you need to legalize your UK documents for use in Italy? In this article, we’ll explain how to obtain an apostille for documents issued in the United Kingdom and how the legalization process works.
What Is an Apostille?
An apostille is an international legal document that certifies a public document for use in a foreign country. It is valid only for countries that are signatories to the 1961 Hague Convention. This means it is issued exclusively to legalize documents exchanged between member countries.
For non-member countries, the traditional legalization process, which involves consular authorities, is required.
What’s the Difference Between Apostille and Legalization?
Apostille and legalization serve the same purpose: they certify the legal capacity of the public official who signed the document and authenticate their signature.
The only difference is that the apostille applies to countries that are part of the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961 (full list of member countries available here) while legalization is required for all other countries.
Whenever you receive a document from abroad or need to send one internationally, either an apostille or legalization must be applied. These processes give the document legal validity in the receiving country.
What Has Changed with the New EU Regulation?
Under the new EU Regulation 2016/1191, effective from February 16, 2019, many public documents are exempt from both legalization and apostille. This means no apostille or legalization is required for certain types of public documents.
For instance:
- If you need to present a marriage certificate issued in Italy to French authorities, it does not require an apostille but only a translation.
- However, if the public document was issued in the United Kingdom or Argentina and needs to be presented to an Italian authority, an apostille is required since these countries are not EU member states.
- Similarly, if a document issued in Italy must be presented in the United States or Brazil, an apostille is necessary because these countries are not EU members.
Which Documents Require Apostille or Legalization?
Public documents issued by a member state that need to be submitted to another member state are usually covered. Examples include:
- Birth certificates
- Death certificates
- Name changes
- Marriage certificates, including marital status and capacity to marry
- Divorce, legal separation, or annulment of marriage
- Adoption certificates
- Proof of residence or domicile
- Proof of citizenship
How to Obtain an Apostille for Documents Issued in the UK?
- Legalization Process:
To make your document legally valid abroad or at the Italian Consulate, it must be legalized. For UK-issued documents, visit the Legalization Office in Milton Keynes to have the apostille applied. - Government Website:
The UK government’s official website provides detailed instructions on document legalization. It also outlines the required steps and documentation. - Postal Service:
If you’re in Italy, don’t worry! You can obtain the apostille remotely by sending the documents via post. The Legalization Office will process and return the legalized documents. - Check Document Requirements:
Ensure the document can be directly legalized, or determine if solicitor or notary support is required. Some documents, such as powers of attorney, educational certificates, or adoption certificates, must be certified by a solicitor or notary before being sent to the Legalization Office. - Translation:
Once the apostille is obtained, the document can be translated into Italian. Apostilled documents must be attached to the original for submission, as photocopies are not accepted.
Still Have Questions?
If you’re unsure about the need for an apostille stamp or need information about document translation and legalization, feel free to contact us!
- Phone: +44 (0)78 2434 7667 (also available on WhatsApp)
- Email: cristina@wordsathand.com
- Messenger
Office Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday and Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
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