Apostille in Ukraine

1. Apostille is a stamp on a document that confirms its legal validity, if it is necessary to use this document abroad.

2. Affixing an apostille is a simplified mode of legalization of documents, which is used only between the countries participating in the 1961 Convention.

3. Apostille is affixed in the country of origin of the document, with rare exceptions when it can be affixed at the Embassy/Consulate of the country of origin of the document.

What does apostille mean?

The presence of an apostille on the document confirms for foreign government bodies and other institutions that the document presented has legal force: it is not forged and is recognized as valid in the country of origin.

Who needs to put an apostille on documents?

To everyone who plans to use official documents originating from Ukraine in other countries that are parties to the 1961 Convention.

Which countries accept Ukrainian documents without an apostille?

With some states, Ukraine has concluded international agreements, canceling the requirement to additionally receive any confirmation of the validity of the document in the form of an apostille or consular legalization. On the territory of these states, Ukrainian documents are recognized in the form in which they are issued by the authorities of Ukraine, as well as on the territory of Ukraine, official documents issued in these states can be used without an apostille or consular legalization.

What should I do if I don't find the country I need in one of these lists?

In this case, documents for use in a foreign state must undergo the procedure of consular legalization. You can find out more about legalization at the link.

Where do I apply for an apostille?

Depending on the authority of Ukraine that issued the document, to affix an apostille, you need to contact the following authorities:

The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine — on official documents issued by educational institutions, state bodies, enterprises, institutions, and organizations that concern the sphere of education and science.

• education diplomas;
• certificates on the assignment of academic titles;
• certificates;
• references from educational institutions;
• educational plans;
• other documents.

The Ministry of Justice of Ukraine — on documents issued by judicial bodies and courts, as well as on documents drawn up by notaries of Ukraine, namely:

• certificates issued by state registration bodies of civil status acts;
• extracts from the State Register of Acts of Civil Status of Citizens;
• documents certified by notaries;
• court decisions and certificates.

Ministry of Internal Affairs — on documents issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and its territorial bodies for the provision of service services, except for documents related to the sphere of education and science, for example:

• extracts/certificates on the absence of a criminal record.

State Migration Service — on documents issued by the State Migration Service, for example:

• certificate of registration as a citizen of Ukraine.

State Tax Service of Ukraine — on documents issued by the State Tax Service and its territorial bodies, for example:

• a certificate confirming the status of a tax resident of Ukraine.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine — on all other official documents, including:

• certificates issued by archival institutions of Ukraine;
• health certificates;
• other official documents.

What documents cannot be apostilled?

Apostille is not provided:

• on documents issued by foreign diplomatic offices of Ukraine;
• on administrative documents directly related to commercial or customs operations;
• on passport documents, identity cards, driver's licenses, employment records.

Can the affixing of an apostille be refused?

The affixing of an apostille may be refused, the main reasons for refusal are as follows:

• the document was received before 2003;
• mechanical damage to the document is present: abrasions, stains, leading to illegibility of the text or seals/stamps;
• broken integrity;
• corrections, differences in data and/or printing;
• the presence of lamination.