Consular and embassy legalization

For countries that do not accept the apostille, a document has to pass a chain of certifications ending at the destination country's embassy. We handle the whole chain for you.

When legalization is required

Legalization (sometimes called superlegalization) is required for documents going to countries that are not party to the Hague Apostille Convention and have no treaty with Slovakia waiving certification. It applies to personal documents, diplomas and commercial papers alike – for work, study, marriage or business in those countries.

How it works

  1. Certification by the competent central authority for the type of document, usually a ministry.
  2. Certification by the Slovak Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.
  3. Legalization at the embassy or consulate of the destination country.
  4. Certified translation – before or after legalization, as the destination country requires.

Commercial documents

For invoices, certificates or certificates of origin, the destination country may also require certification by a chamber of commerce. Requirements differ by country and change over time, so we always verify them before we start.

Embassies outside Slovakia

Many countries have no embassy in Bratislava and cover Slovakia from Vienna, Prague or Budapest. We file and collect documents there for you as well.

Most common documents

  • diplomas and school certificates
  • birth and marriage certificates
  • criminal record extracts
  • powers of attorney
  • commercial register extracts and articles of association
  • invoices, certificates and trade documents

How it works

  1. Send your document

    A scan or photo through the form or by email. Tell us what it's for and which country it will be used in.

  2. Get your quote

    We set out the right procedure, price and deadline. The quote is free and non-binding.

  3. We handle it

    Translation, certified copies, apostille or legalization – in the right order.

  4. We deliver

    By post, courier or electronically – in Slovakia and abroad.

Frequently asked questions

How long does legalization take?

It is a multi-step process and the timing depends mainly on the processing times of each office and the embassy. We give you an estimate in the quote as soon as we know the destination country and document type.

Do I have to visit the embassy in person?

In most cases, no. We file and collect documents on your behalf under your authorisation.

What is the difference between an apostille and legalization?

An apostille is a single certificate valid in Hague Convention countries. Legalization is a chain of several certifications ending at the embassy of the country where the document will be used.

Request a quote

Attach a scan or photo of your document and tell us what you need it for. We'll get back to you with a price and deadline.

Prefer email? Send your documents to info@abc-office.eu.

Quotes are free and non-binding.

PDF, JPG, PNG, HEIC, DOC(X), XLS(X), ODT, TXT – up to 5 files, 15 MB in total.

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