Close view of an open document between folders and bound volumes.

CertiDocsThe practical guide

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 limited: the rule covers certain documents and does not remove every translation or acceptance issue.

Understand the process
Last updated Editorial lead : Hiliyeh Bashir1 sources

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

Budget

Prepare your translation request

Enter the number of pages, then add your document in the request form.

CertiDocs confirms the price after checking the document, before payment. See all prices

Prepare my request

Frequently 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 source

Official sources used

The references below are the public sources used to document this page. The competent authority always retains the final decision.

Official sourcee-Justice portal - Public documents in the EU

CertiDocs analysis: CertiDocs explains the process and helps connect users with a professional. CertiDocs is not a public service and is not affiliated with any authority.