Apostille for Marriage Certificates – Everything You Need to Know
What is an Apostille for a Marriage Certificate?
An Apostille for a marriage certificate is an international certificate that confirms the authenticity of the signature and stamp on a public document, such as a marriage certificate. It certifies that the marriage certificate is valid and legally issued in the country of origin, making it easier for other countries that are members of the Hague Convention to recognize it. An Apostille is necessary when a public document is to be used in a country other than where it was issued. For marriage certificates, this is especially crucial for various legal matters abroad, such as residency applications, citizenship, or even entering into a new marriage in another country.
The Importance of an Apostille for Marriage Certificates
An Apostille for your marriage certificate is essential to prove your marital status internationally. Without it, your marriage certificate may not be legally recognized in another country, which can complicate various legal and administrative processes. The Apostille ensures the international validity of your marriage and facilitates legal procedures, helping you avoid unnecessary complications.
How to Obtain an Apostille for a Marriage Certificate
To obtain an Apostille for a marriage certificate, you typically need to contact the designated authority in the country where the certificate was issued. The process can vary depending on the country.
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What is an Apostille?
First and foremost, an Apostille is a certification that a document issued by an authority has been signed and stamped by an authorized person employed by that authority. The main purpose of the Apostille stamp is to serve as a guarantee to foreign entities (authorities, companies, etc.) that the document is genuine.
In summary, the primary function of the Apostille is to certify that the document was issued by an authorized official within a governmental authority, and that the official has the authority to sign the document. Simply put, it confirms the authenticity of the document and ensures it is not a forgery.
Typically, documents issued by public authorities are eligible for an Apostille. However, documents issued by authorized translators, doctors, or other Notaries Public may also qualify.
Examples of documents that may require an Apostille:
- Documents from government agencies such as the Companies Registration Office, the Swedish Tax Agency, the National Board of Health and Welfare, etc.
- Court documents, such as divorce decrees.
- Documents translated by authorized translators approved by Kammarkollegiet.
- Extracts from various registers, such as criminal records.
- Diplomas or certificates from educational institutions, typically universities and colleges.
- Documents signed by another Notary Public.
Requirements for an Apostille:
- The original document must contain an official stamp from the issuing authority.
- It must clearly state which authority issued the document.
- The signature and printed name of the official who stamped the document must be visible.
- The official’s position within the issuing authority must be included (e.g. case officer, administrator).
Non-Governmental Documents
However, it’s not only government-issued documents that can be Apostilled. For documents that do not meet the above criteria, you can still obtain an Apostille. In such cases, a Notary Public must first certify your signature or authority. This is done with a separate stamp, certifying that you personally signed the document. The stamp will read something like: “Hereby certifying that [Name] has personally signed this document.” The document is then sealed by the Notary Public. Only after this step can you proceed to another Notary Public who will issue the Apostille. This second Notary certifies that your signature has been verified by another Notary Public.
3 Things You Must Know to Get an Apostille Stamp:
- The country where the document will be presented must be a member of the Hague Apostille Convention.
- The document must be in its original form and contain a stamp.
- It must be signed by an authorized official from the issuing authority, with their name clearly printed.
Apostille Issued by a Notary Public
Only a Notary Public can issue an Apostille. This is because a Notary Public has been appointed by the County Administrative Board and is entrusted by the state. This trust allows the Notary Public to certify the authenticity of public documents with good judgment. The purpose is to provide a simple and accessible way for individuals to prove that a government-issued document is genuine, often a requirement in international matters.
The Hague Convention
The Apostille stamp gains its validity and significance from an international agreement between numerous countries. This agreement is known as the Hague Convention, with a total of 118 member states. The broad membership demonstrates the importance of the Apostille in international relations, particularly in matters such as real estate transactions, opening bank accounts, and similar administrative services. You can find a full list of member countries on the Hague Conference website.
The convention means that once a document has been issued with an Apostille, it does not need to be further certified by an embassy, consulate, or other government authority. A Notary Public acts as an extended function of governmental power, authenticating the document without requiring direct involvement from the state. Practically, this is very efficient and fulfills an important role. Without this system, the waiting time for certifying documents would be significantly longer.
Can a Notary Public Issue an Apostille?
Yes. It is important to note that the only person who can issue an Apostille is a Notary Public, due to the appointment they have received from the County Administrative Board. But how does this work? In short, an Apostille is a type of certification for documents that are typically presented to foreign entities – such as a bank, real estate agent, or foreign authority. The Apostille stamp confirms that the document is officially certified by a trusted individual appointed by the Swedish government. In other words, the trust in the authenticity of the document is reinforced. Therefore, the document does not need to be certified by a Swedish embassy or consulate – the Notary Public’s certification is sufficient.
Vanliga frågor – FAQ
Vad är en apostille?
En apostille är en form av legalisering av ett dokument som utfärdats av en myndighet. Det är en internationellt erkänd form av legalisering som används för att verifiera att ett dokument är giltigt i ett annat land. En apostille är en speciell stämpel eller ett speciellt intyg som utfärdas av en myndighet eller personer som är auktoriserade av en myndighet i det land där dokumentet utfärdades.
Varför behöver jag en apostille?
Du kan behöva en apostille om du planerar att använda ett dokument som utfärdats i Sverige i ett annat land. Detta kan inkludera dokument som utfärdats av myndigheter, såsom födelsedokument, utdrag ur folkbokföringsregistret, examensbevis, giftorättsintyg, eller andra typer av dokument. En apostille bekräftar att dokumentet är giltigt i det land där det utfärdades, och gör det möjligt för det att användas i ett annat land.
Vad är skillnaden mellan en apostille och en legalisering?
En apostille är en form av legalisering, men det finns också andra former av legalisering som kan krävas beroende på det land där dokumentet ska användas. Legalisering är en process där en myndighet eller av myndighet auktoriserad person verifierar att ett dokument är utfärdat av en myndighet och undertecknad av behörig tjänsteman. En apostille är en speciell form av legalisering som används för att verifiera att ett dokument är giltigt i ett annat land. En Apostille är en internationellt erkänd form av legalisering.
Vilka länder använder apostille?
Många länder använder apostille för att legalisera dokument som ska användas i andra länder. Det finns ett antal länder som har skrivit under Haagkonventionen av 1961, som är en internationell överenskommelse för användning av apostille. Länder som har skrivit under konventionen inkluderar Sverige, Spanien, Estland, USA, Storbritannien, Australien, Nya Zeeland, och många fler.
Var kan jag få en apostille?
I Sverige är det endast jurister som har ett förordnade från Länsstyrelsen som Notarius Publicus som har rätt att utfärda Apostille. En Notarius Publicus jobbar inte för staten utan har fått ett s.k statligt förordnande genom Länsstyrelsen som ger dem rätten att utfärda vissa stämplar och intyg.
Vilka dokument kan apostilleras?
Vanligtvis alla typer av offentliga dokument, såsom födelse- och dödsbevis, giftorätts- och skilsmässointyg, examensbevis, utdrag ur belastningsregistret, auktoriserade översättningar och liknande.
Behöver jag få Apostille på mitt dokument om jag ska använda det i ett annat land?
Det beror på vart du ska använda dokumentet och vilken nation det kommer från samt vilket krav de som efterfrågat dokumentet har ställt. Haagkonventionen gäller för ca 106 länder, och om båda länderna är medlemmar i konventionen, krävs en apostille.
Hur mycket kostar det att få en apostille?
Det kostar 499 kronor att få en Apostille på ett fysiskt dokument.