Every EU country has its own Hague Convention apostille authority. We know each one. Birth certificates, criminal records, and degrees from Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and beyond.
Step 1 of 4
Which EU country issued your document?
There is no single EU-wide apostille system. Each member state has its own designated authority. Here are the most commonly requested:
Don't see your country? Contact us — we cover all 27 EU member states.
EU birth certificates, criminal records, and degrees frequently need apostille for use in non-EU countries. Each EU country has its own apostille authority — we know them all.
All major Latin American countries are Hague Convention members and accept EU apostilles. Whether your document is German, French, Italian, or from any other EU country, we handle the submission.
The US accepts apostilles from all EU member states. EU criminal records, birth certificates, and degrees apostilled for US visa and immigration purposes.
| Document | Issuing authority | Estimated time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original EU document (or certified copy) | Relevant EU government authority | Varies by country and document type | Must be an official document issued by a competent public authority in the EU member state. |
| Apostille from the competent EU authority | Varies by EU country — courts, ministries, prefectures | 1–15 business days depending on country | Each EU country has its own apostille authority and process. There is no single EU-wide apostille body. |
| Certified translation (if required) | Sworn / certified translator | 1–3 business days | Required for use in countries with a different official language. We provide translations for all EU languages. |
We identify the correct apostille authority for your specific EU country and document type. Each member state has different procedures — some use courts, others use ministries or prefectures.
We prepare your document for submission to the correct authority. Some EU countries allow online submission; others require physical documents. We use our EU partner network for in-person submissions.
Processing times vary from 1 day (some online systems) to 15 business days (Germany, Italy). We track status and keep you updated.
Translation coordinated in parallel if needed. Apostilled documents delivered by tracked international courier to your address worldwide.
Information on this page is based on procedures from recognized government and intergovernmental bodies — not third-party estimates.
Reviewed by
Laura ChenLegal Document Expert
Specialist in documents for the English-speaking market with a focus on fast and secure processing.
No. The EU does not have a unified apostille system. Each EU member state has its own designated apostille authority under the Hague Convention. For example, Germany uses regional courts (Oberlandesgerichte), France uses Courts of Appeals, Italy uses Prefetture, and Spain uses two different ministries depending on document type.
Yes — by all Hague Convention member countries. This includes the US, all Latin American Hague members (Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, etc.), the UK, and most other countries worldwide. Some non-Hague countries (historically Canada, though Canada recently joined) require consular legalization instead.
Processing times vary significantly by country: Germany takes 5–15 business days; France, Spain, and Portugal typically 3–7 business days; Italy 5–10 business days; Poland and Romania 3–10 business days. Online systems (where available) can be faster.
It depends on the destination country's official language. Spanish-speaking countries accept Spanish-language EU documents without translation. The US, UK, and other English-speaking countries require a certified translation of non-English EU documents. We provide certified translations for all EU languages.
Yes. Many EU countries offer online apostille systems. For countries requiring physical submission, we use our partner network across EU member states. We manage the process remotely regardless of where you are located.
Several EU countries participate in the HCCH e-APP (Electronic Apostille Pilot Programme), including Spain, France, Germany, Portugal, Austria, and others. These issue electronic apostilles with a digital verification code, which are fully valid under the Hague Convention.
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