Apostille by type of document
Which authority affixes it, what it costs, how long it takes, whether a copy will do and what to prepare in advance. 28 types of document, every figure with a link to its source.
Civil status certificates
Affixed by the civil registry authority of the region that issued the document. Another region will not accept the original.
Birth certificate
The apostille goes on the original certificate; a further copy or duplicate can be ordered through an MFC public services centre or Gosuslugi.
Read moreMarriage certificate
The apostille goes on the original; for use abroad a notarised translation is usually also required, with no apostille on the translation itself unless the country requires a double apostille.
Read moreDivorce certificate
If the divorce went through a court rather than the civil registry office, the certificate is still issued by the civil registry office on the basis of the court judgment, and the apostille goes on that certificate.
Read moreDeath certificate
Most often needed to settle an inheritance or a pension abroad.
Read moreChange-of-name certificate
Needed where a surname, forename or patronymic was changed otherwise than through marriage or divorce, for instance by personal choice.
Read moreCertificate of no record of marriage
It is issued by the civil registry office of the applicant’s place of residence, not necessarily of the place of birth, and the apostille is affixed by the same office that issued the certificate.
Read moreEducational documents
Diplomas and school certificates are apostilled by regional education authorities, and you may apply in any region.
Higher or vocational education diploma
Once apostilled, the document is valid indefinitely and does not need a second apostille.
Read moreSchool leaving certificate
The certificate is apostilled separately from the transcript of marks only where the two are separate documents; check what the receiving university requires.
Read moreAcademic transcript
This is what distinguishes a transcript from a diploma or school certificate: the route runs through a notarised copy and the Ministry of Justice, not through the education authority.
Read morePolice certificates
A criminal record certificate is apostilled at the Information Centre of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in any region.
Notarial and court documents
Powers of attorney, consents, copies and constitutional documents: the Ministry of Justice apostilles the notary's signature.
Notarised power of attorney
The duration is set by the notary in the text, often one to three years; the apostille does not affect it.
Read moreNotarised parental consent for a child's travel abroad
The apostille is affixed by the Ministry of Justice of the region where the certifying notary works.
Read moreNotarised copy of a document
This is the universal workaround for documents that cannot be apostilled themselves: the notarised copy is apostilled instead of the original.
Read morePassport (notarised copy)
No apostille is placed on the passport itself: it is an identity document to be shown, not apostilled. The apostille goes on a notarised copy and confirms the signature and seal of the notary who certified it.
Read moreContract
The apostille confirms the notary’s signature, not the content of the contract or the powers of the parties.
Read moreEmployment record book (notarised copy)
The apostille goes on a notarised copy of the employment record book and confirms the notary’s signature.
Read moreMedical documents (notarised copy)
Medical organisations do not affix apostilles: they are not among the authorities empowered to do so. The apostille goes on a notarised copy of the medical document and confirms the notary’s signature.
Read moreArticles of association and constitutional documents of a company
Foreign banks and registrars usually ask for the articles together with an extract from the state register of legal entities. These are separate documents: each is apostilled and paid for separately.
Read moreExtract from the state register of legal entities or sole traders
Information from the state registers is provided under art. 6 of Federal Law No. 129-FZ of 8 August 2001: an extract about a particular company is open to anyone who requests it.
Read morePower of attorney issued by a company
The notary checks the signatory’s authority against the articles and the register extract, so bring both.
Read moreResolution of a sole participant or minutes of a general meeting
The receiving side usually looks not only at the resolution but also at proof of authority: the articles and a register extract are added to the set, and each document is apostilled and paid for separately.
Read moreCertificate that tax obligations have been met
Russia has no equivalent of a certificate of good standing. Abroad its role is usually covered by two documents: an extract from the state register of legal entities and this certificate.
Read moreFinancial statements
Annual financial statements are public: the tax service resource issues them for any company, and this is the only version the receiving side can verify for itself.
Read moreBank certificate
An ordinary bank certificate is a document of a commercial organisation, not of a state authority. The apostille therefore certifies the signature and seal of the notary rather than the certificate itself: notarial certification of a copy confirms neither the balance figure nor the authenticity of the bank data.
Read moreTrademark certificate
The certificate confirms the exclusive right within Russia. Protection abroad requires registration there or an international registration under the Madrid system, and an apostilled certificate is usually needed as an annex to that application or to an assignment agreement.
Read morePatent for an invention, utility model or industrial design
A patent is effective only in the country that granted it. An apostilled copy of a Russian patent is needed when filing abroad, in a priority dispute and when rights are transferred.
Read moreCourt judgment
Either the court-certified original with the note of legal effect or a notarised copy of it can be apostilled; the choice determines the region where the apostille is obtained.
Read moreArchival documents
Archival statements and extracts are apostilled by the authorised regional archives.
Work out the route for your document
The document, the region where it was issued, the destination country. The step-by-step chain with authorities, fees and timescales appears at once.