Related documents
Birth certificate, Marriage certificate, Criminal record extract, Power of attorney
EU public documents: when an apostille is no longer required
Since 16 February 2019, certain public documents issued in one EU Member State circulate without an apostille in another Member State. That is useful, but not magic: the rule concerns certain documents and does not eliminate every issue of translation or acceptance.
Often without apostille, depending on the documentDepends on the authority and the completeness of the fileModerate
Last reviewed: 29 March 2026Editorial review: Equipe CertiDocsOfficial sources: 1
Overview
What this guide helps you sort out
Since 16 February 2019, certain public documents issued in one EU Member State circulate without an apostille in another Member State. That is useful, but not magic: the rule concerns certain documents and does not eliminate every issue of translation or acceptance.
Steps
4
Documents
4
Official sources
1
What frames this file straight away
Before you even follow the procedure step by step, these are usually the axes that matter.
Common translations
French-Dutch, Dutch-French, English-French, German-French
Related cities
Brussels, Namur, Antwerp
What the authority will really test here
In this kind of file, the blockage usually comes from proof, sequencing and consistency, not polished wording.
Records that need to line up
This procedure is usually read through Birth certificate, Marriage certificate, Criminal record extract. Names, dates and references need to stay aligned from one record to the next.
Which official reading matters
Brussels, Namur will compare the source record with French-Dutch, Dutch-French and wants the issuing authority, date and registry references to be easy to spot.
Order of formalities
The 1 official source mainly help keep the sequence sharp: recent record first, any apostille or legalisation next, then the right filing step.
Which documents are covered?
The regulation covers a list of public documents, including certain civil-status records, residence certificates, proof of absence of a criminal record and other precisely defined administrative documents. It does not cover every official document just because it comes from an EU country.
What exactly does the regulation remove?
It removes the apostille requirement between Member States for the documents it covers. It does not, however, guarantee that the document will be accepted for every possible legal effect: the receiving authority still retains its margin on the substance.
And what about translation?
The regulation does not erase every translation need. Multilingual forms can help, but depending on the document and the receiving authority, a translation may still be useful or necessary.
Documents to prepare
- Check that the document actually falls within the EU regulation
- Confirm the EU Member State of issue and of destination
- Check whether a multilingual form exists for the document
- Assess whether a translation still remains useful for the receiving authority
Steps to follow
1
Check the scope of the regulation
Make sure your document and situation actually fall under the EU regulation.
2
Confirm the receiving authority
Check how the receiving authority actually handles this type of document.
3
Look for the multilingual form
If it exists for your document, it may avoid the need for a separate translation.
4
Decide whether translation is still useful
Depending on the document and the receiving authority, a sworn translation may still be the cleanest solution.
Good to know
No apostille does not mean no checks
The receiving authority can still verify authenticity through the European channels provided for that purpose.
A multilingual form can avoid a translation
When it exists for your document, the multilingual form often reduces the need for a separate translation.
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Common translations
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Get matchedFrequently asked questions
+−Do all European documents circulate without an apostille?
No. Only the documents covered by the regulation benefit from that simplification.
+−Does no apostille mean automatic acceptance?
No. The receiving authority can still assess the scope of the document and carry out the checks provided for by the regulation.
+−Does the multilingual form always replace translation?
Not always, but it often reduces the need for a separate translation.
+−Does the regulation also apply to non-EU countries?
No. It governs circulation between Member States of the European Union.
+−Can I still choose a sworn translation?
Yes. If it makes the document easier for the receiving authority to understand, it can still be a good choice.
Official sources
The links below provide the official baseline. They help verify the procedure but do not replace file-specific analysis or the decision of the competent authority.
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