Countries that have not joined the Apostille Convention require a chain of legalisation (also spelled legalization). A Dutch document is first legalised by the competent Dutch authority and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and then by the embassy or consulate of the destination country.
Every embassy has its own requirements, opening hours and fees, and they change regularly. We know the routes, submit the documents and collect them again.
What we often legalise
- Civil status certificates
- Diplomas and transcripts
- Commercial invoices and certificates of origin
- Articles of association, KvK extracts and powers of attorney
- Employment contracts and employer statements
- Certified translations
Which countries require legalisation?
Countries outside the Apostille Convention, such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Vietnam and a number of countries in Africa and the Middle East. Because countries can join the convention, we check for every order which route currently applies.
Commercial documents
Invoices, certificates of origin and export documents must also be legalised for some countries, sometimes via the Chamber of Commerce first. We handle this for businesses, including recurring shipments.
How it works
Send your document
Upload a scan or photo through the form or email it to info@abc-office.eu. Tell us what the document is for and in which country it will be used.
Receive a fixed price
You get a quote with price and delivery time. We only start once you approve it.
We translate and legalise
A sworn translator produces the translation. Where needed, we arrange the apostille, the legalisation or the retrieval of the document.
You receive everything back
Digitally by email and, if the authority requires it, on paper by post.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an apostille and legalisation?
An apostille is a single stamp that is sufficient for countries that have joined the Apostille Convention. Other countries require legalisation: a chain of stamps via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the embassy or consulate of the destination country.
Do I have to go to the embassy myself?
No, we submit the documents and collect them. A few embassies require an appointment or a personal statement; if so, we tell you in advance.
How long does legalisation take?
Allow one to several weeks, depending on the embassy. Our quote states the expected turnaround for your destination country.
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Near you
We work for clients throughout the Netherlands, including: