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Verification

How to verify an apostille

The short answer

To verify an apostille, find its number (field 8) and date (field 6), then check them in the issuing country’s e-Register if one exists – the HCCH lists the registers per country. If there is no online register, contact the competent authority named in field 7; it keeps a record of every apostille it issued and can confirm it.

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Step by step

    Signs that something is wrong

    • The heading or the ten numbered fields are missing or altered.
    • The apostille is attached to a photocopy or a scan.
    • Field 7 names an authority that is not designated for that country.
    • The document comes from a country whose apostilles the destination does not accept (an Article 12 objection).

    Verifying foreign documents for Germany

    German authorities verify documents from objected countries (India, the Philippines, Pakistan, Nigeria and others) through the German mission in that country instead of relying on an apostille. This process can take months, so it should start early.

    Questions

    We can check the number against the issuing country’s e-Register or ask the authority on your behalf as part of a request.

    Apostille by document

    EU↔EU: no apostille

    Birth certificate

    Geburtsurkunde · acte de naissance · certificado de nacimiento

    Requirements & fees

    University degree & transcript

    Hochschulzeugnis / Diplom / Urkunde · diplôme universitaire · título universitario

    Requirements & fees
    EU↔EU: no apostille

    Police clearance certificate

    Führungszeugnis · extrait de casier judiciaire · certificado de antecedentes penales

    Requirements & fees

    Power of attorney

    Vollmacht · procuration · poder notarial

    Requirements & fees
    EU↔EU: no apostille

    Marriage certificate

    Eheurkunde / Heiratsurkunde · acte de mariage · certificado de matrimonio

    Requirements & fees

    FBI background check

    FBI-Führungszeugnis · casier judiciaire FBI · antecedentes penales del FBI

    Requirements & fees

    Ready when you are

    Tell us where the document was issued and where it goes – the notary reviews your application, we handle the rest, quoted before you pay.

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    Questions? Write to [email protected]