Generally, the apostille is affixed to the original document in the country that issued it, then the document and its apostille are translated. Some receiving bodies ask instead for an apostille on the translation itself, that is, on the sworn translator’s signature. The receiving body sets the order: ask it before you start.
It is a simplified form of legalisation under the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961. It certifies the authenticity of the signature on a public document, never its content, and replaces legalisation between countries that are party to the convention.
Most often before: the apostille is placed on the original document, then everything is translated. When the receiving body requires an apostille on the translation, it covers the sworn translator’s signature, after the translation.
An apostille obtained at the wrong moment means starting again. Send us the receiving body’s written request: it states which document the apostille must be on.
Depending on the receiving body, the apostille may have to be translated together with the document it accompanies. Mention it when you ask for a quote: it is then translated with the rest.
According to service-public.gouv.fr, French notaries have handled apostille formalities since 1 May 2025. Requests are filed online on a dedicated platform, at one of fifteen regional centres, or by post.
Service-public.gouv.fr also states that a translation made by a sworn translator can be apostilled, in which case the translator’s signature must be certified.
It depends on the authority that issued the document. For documents from federal courts and authorities, the UrkBefrV designates the Federal Office for Foreign Affairs; for others, the authorities designated by each Land.
No. According to service-public.gouv.fr, legalisation and apostilles do not apply to a French document intended for a French authority.
Not for public documents covered by Regulation (EU) 2016/1191, such as civil-status records: it exempts them from the apostille between Member States and provides multilingual standard forms that serve as a translation aid.
Legalisation applies, through the ministry of foreign affairs and then the consulate of the destination country. It takes considerably longer and does not depend on the translator.
Send us the scan and the receiving body’s request: we check the order of steps and send you a quote within 60 minutes on business days.
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