Some translations, even where certified by the translator, may also have to be ‘legalized’ (validated) by a court. This can be done by means of the standard ‘legalization’ procedure or, in certain circumstances, with a special court statement known as an ‘apostille’.
Apostille
An apostille is actually a simplified form of legalization. The court issues a statement to the effect that the person signing the document has done so in his or her official capacity as translator or notary, and that the court duly recognizes this person’s credentials.
An apostille issued in the Netherlands is recognized by all signatories to the 'Apostille Convention' (Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents). Many countries have joined the Convention since. In principle, no further formalities are required. Apostilles can be issued in Dutch, German, English, French, Spanish or Italian.
A current list ('status table') of all countries that accept apostille certification is available here.
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Standard legalization
In the case of countries which do not (yet) recognize an apostille issued in the Netherlands, the standard legalization procedure is required. Here, once the court has authenticated a document, further declarations are required from the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the consulate or High Commission of the country in which the document is to be presented.
For more information about legalization and apostilles, click here to visit the website of the District Court of The Hague (in Dutch only).
Click here for a list of foreign embassies and consulates in the Netherlands (including contact details).
Our service
Anyone may submit a document to the court for legalization. However, All-Round Translations will be happy to undertake all formalities on your behalf, presenting a ‘ready-to-go’ product in the form of a fully legalized translated document. Click here for a free quote.
Legalization of foreign documents
A document which is legally valid in one country will not necessarily be valid in another. Foreign documents you present to the Dutch authorities must therefore be legalized and, as a rule, translated into Dutch by a sworn translator. It is advisable to arrange for your documents to be legalized before you present them to us for translation: if the legalization itself is not in Dutch, it must be translated as well! A wealth of information on this subject (in English) can be found on the website of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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