Apostille
Zaporozhye Sobornyi ave. 135, Intourist Hotel, office 411-A

Apostille - is a special stamp that certifies the authenticity of signatures, the status of persons, seals. The confirmation of signatures and seals on official documents by the apostille makes these documents legal in all countries participating in the Hague Convention.

Ukraine joined the Hague Convention on January 10, 2002. The Convention came into force on December 22, 2003, after which the countries-participants of the Convention refused from the requirement of full consular legalization of official documents in their relations with Ukraine, and switched to a simplified procedure for apostilization. Currently, the number of states which are parties to the Convention is 112.

Apostille, in addition to authenticating the signature and competence of the person who signed (issued) the official document, also, in some cases, certifies the authenticity of the stamp or seal on the document.

Apostille may not be used if there are legal grounds that cancel or simplify the legalization of a document issued by the state.

Conditions for getting apostille certification in Ukraine

An apostille is stamped on the petition of the person who signed the document, or any bearer of the document.

The apostille is affixed:

• On documents issued by the judicial authorities of Ukraine;
• On documents originating from the prosecutor's office of Ukraine, the bodies of justice;
• On administrative documents;
• On documents of education and academic degrees assigning;
• On documents issued by public and private notaries;
• On official testimonies performed on documents signed by persons in their private capacity, such as official certificates of registration of a document or fact that existed on a certain date, and official and notarially certified signatures.

An apostille is NOT affixed:

• On documents issued by foreign diplomatic missions of Ukraine;
• On administrative documents directly related to commercial or customs operations;
• On documents that have the character of correspondence.

In accordance with the order of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine of August 13, 2014 "About amendments to the rules for affixing apostille on official documents designated for use on the territory of other countries" it is permitted to put an apostille on copies (photocopies ), certified in the notary order:

• Passports;
• Military Identity Cards;
• Employment records;
• Weapons permits;
• Certificates on registration of vehicles (technical passports);
• Identity cards.

Powers for Apostille affixing in Ukraine

Decree of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine of January 18, 2003, No. 61 authorizes the affixing of apostille to:

• The Ministry of Justice of Ukraine - on documents that are issued by the bodies of justice, courts and issued by notaries of Ukraine;
• The Ministry of Education and Science - on official documents issued by educational institutions, state bodies, enterprises, organizations relating to the sphere of education and science;
• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine - on all other types of documents.

In Ukraine, an apostille is charged state duty at a rate of 51 UAH. for individuals, and 85 UAH. for legal entities