Double Apostille: What It Is and Which Countries Require It
What Is an Apostille
An apostille is a special international certificate that confirms the authenticity of a signature, seal, and the authority of the official who issued a document. It is required for official documents issued in Ukraine to have legal validity abroad in countries that are parties to the 1961 Hague Convention.
Ukraine is a member of the Hague Convention, which allows Ukrainian documents to be legalized for use abroad through an apostille without the need for full consular legalization.
What Is a Double Apostille
A double apostille is a document legalization procedure in which an apostille is applied twice:
- The first apostille is affixed to the original document or to its notarized copy.
- The document is translated into the language of the destination country, and the translation is notarized.
- The second apostille is affixed to the notarized translation.
This procedure confirms not only the authenticity of the original document but also the legal validity of the notarization of the translation.
⚠️ Important: the term “double apostille” is not formally defined in legislation; however, it is widely used in practice to describe this specific legalization process.
When Is a Double Apostille Required
A double apostille is required when foreign authorities or institutions demand that both the document itself and its notarized translation be apostilled.
Most commonly, this applies to the following situations:
- submission of documents to foreign government authorities;
- admission to foreign educational institutions;
- marriage registration or civil status procedures abroad;
- employment or professional qualification recognition;
- immigration and migration procedures;
- court and administrative proceedings.
Which Countries Require a Double Apostille
Not all countries that are parties to the Hague Convention require a double apostille. However, in practice, this requirement is frequently encountered when submitting documents to the following countries:
- Italy
- Spain
- France
- Belgium
- Austria
- Switzerland
- Netherlands
- Portugal
- Denmark
- Norway
- United Kingdom
- Cyprus
- Malta
- Luxembourg
- Turkey
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Mexico
❗ Requirements may vary depending on the specific authority, the type of document, and the purpose of submission, so it is always advisable to verify the current requirements in advance.
Documents Most Commonly Requiring a Double Apostille
A double apostille is most often required for:
- diplomas, diploma supplements, academic transcripts;
- birth, marriage, and divorce certificates;
- police clearance certificates;
- notarized powers of attorney;
- court decisions;
- other official documents intended for use abroad.
Difference Between an Apostille and a Double Apostille
A standard apostille confirms the authenticity of the document itself only.
A double apostille confirms both the document and the notarized translation, which is essential for countries with stricter legalization requirements.
Conclusion
A double apostille is a comprehensive document legalization procedure applied when the receiving country requires an apostille not only on the original document but also on its notarized translation. Incorrect preparation or the absence of a second apostille may result in the refusal of documents by foreign authorities.
To avoid delays and additional costs, it is strongly recommended to verify the requirements of the specific country and institution in advance.