Order legalization of foreign documents – quickly and without unnecessary hassle

Legalization of foreign documents is the process of officially confirming the authenticity of your document issued in one country so that it has legal force in another. It can be: diplomas, certificates, civil status acts (birth, marriage, death), powers of attorney, confirmation of judicial or administrative decisions. If the recipient country is a signatory to the 1961 Hague Convention, an apostille is often enough. If not, full legalization is required through the Ministry, consulate of that country.

Legalization is required when you:

• plan to work or study abroad;
• want to use documents in a court or bureaucratic bodies of another country;
• issue certificates, residence cards or documents for immigration;
• need recognition of diplomas or certificates;
• conclude international agreements or business cooperation between countries.

Apostille vs full legalization: what is the difference and what is needed for your case?

• Apostille is a simplified form of legalization, valid between countries that are parties to the Hague Convention. One stage - only one Apostille stamp or sticker, issued by an authorized body in the country of issue of the document. If the recipient country accepts the apostille - it is cheaper and faster.
• Full legalization - when the recipient country is not a party to the convention. The procedure usually includes: confirmation of signatures, seals in state bodies, legalization through the Ministry of State or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and often additionally through the consulate of the country in which the document will be recognized.

It is important to correctly determine which type of legalization is needed - a mistake can lead to a refusal or the need to go through the entire process again.

Who can apply and which documents are subject to legalization?

We can be contacted by:

• private individuals who have foreign diplomas or certificates that they want to use in Poland or abroad;
• professionals who work abroad or cooperate with foreign organizations;
• businesses that have international contracts, financial documents or certificates that need to be legalized;
• families who need marriage / birth / adoption documents for foreign authorities;
• immigrants who prepare documents for a residence card, residency or other statuses.

Typical documents that are legalized:

• civil registry certificates (birth, marriage, death);
• diplomas, educational and scientific certificates;
• certificates of no criminal record;
• notarial documents and powers of attorney;
• trade / business documents;
• medical documents or other certificates that have legal force.

Legalization procedure: step by step

Here is how the process usually goes when you order a service from us:

1. Preliminary consultation: analysis of your document, recipient country, checking whether an apostille or full legalization is required.
2. Assessment of requirements and action plan: how to go through the procedure - which authorities, which translations, whether an apostille is required, legalization at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or consulate.
3. Collection and preparation of documents: verification of originals, sworn translations, notarization, apostille / seals.
4. Submission to the relevant authorities: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, consulate, other government agencies; often via courier or intermediary, when possible.
5. Monitoring the process: we monitor the status, respond to possible requests or requests for additions.
6. Receiving the finished document: after legalization is completed, you receive a document that is legally recognized in the destination country. We help with delivery if needed.

Typical mistakes and what are the risks if you do it yourself?

Here's what often goes wrong:

• incorrect determination of the recipient country or the wrong type of legalization (requires full legalization, but an apostille is submitted, or vice versa)
• poor quality translations or lack of sworn translations
• documents with expired validity or without official seals / signatures
• incorrectly executed copies or lack of originals when required
• missing deadlines or failure to comply with formal conditions for submission (for example, postal delivery, personal presence, apostille, consular fees)
• inattention to changes in legislation or requirements of consulates / receiving authorities

Risks:

• the document will not be recognized in another country
• it is necessary to redo everything - a waste of time, money
• legal or administrative problems are possible if the document is used for official purposes (immigration, work, study)
• rejection of authorities or the need financial costs for additional procedures

We offer a full service with a guarantee:

• analysis of your needs: we present your case, find out which instances, which rules, which countries may require what
• preparation of all documents: verification of originals, sworn translations, notarizations, apostilles / seals, consular requirements
• legal support: we submit, respond to additional requests, ensure the correctness of the submission
• efficiency: minimum terms, optimal ways, use of express services, if necessary
• control at all stages – you know what is happening, you have an update, we check each document before submission
• guarantee: if the legalization is not recognized due to errors that were in our area of ​​responsibility, we help with corrections or a repeat procedure without additional payment

Prices, terms and what to expect after contacting us

Prices: depending on the number of documents, type of legalization (apostille or full legalization), translations, notarizations, desired terms. We provide transparency - we immediately show all possible costs.

Official fees / state tariffs: established by law (for example, MSZ, consulates), which we include in the calculation.

Terms: for an apostille - it can be from several days to 1-2 weeks depending on the workload of the authorities; for full legalization - from several weeks to several months. In the case of express options or when the consulate works faster - the terms can be reduced.

What to expect after contacting us:

• 
  we establish an action plan and terms;
   
• you provide documents or arrange delivery / collection;
   
• we submit documents;
   
• we monitor the status;
   
• you receive a finished document;
   
• if necessary — help with additions or corrections