Soviet-era document
A certificate, diploma or other document issued before the collapse of the USSR; if it was issued in another union republic, a Russian authority will not apostille it.
Where the record was made on the territory of what is now Russia, the ordinary Russian authority apostilles the document or its duplicate. Where it was made in another union republic, the successor state's authorities have to be approached instead.
Soviet forms are also refused where they are laminated or worn, which is why a duplicate on a current form is usually the simpler route.
Related terms
Duplicate certificate
A further copy of a civil status certificate, needed where the original is damaged, laminated or on a form that cannot be apostilled.
OpenLaminated document
A civil status certificate sealed in plastic film: it cannot be apostilled and a notarised copy cannot be made from it either. A duplicate on an ordinary form is needed.
Open