Apostille translation

How does apostille translation work?

In apostille translation, not only the document itself but also the apostille certificate attached to it is translated in full. The apostille certificate usually takes the form of a separate page or a stamp printed on the back of the document; this page is also included separately in the translation. This way, apostille translation allows the receiving institution to read both the content and the certification.

When you order, simply tick the “My document has an apostille” option and upload the front, the back and the apostille page of the document together. Once the apostille translation is complete, the PDF is uploaded to your account; if requested, the translation is delivered notarized.

What is an apostille, and who issues it?

An apostille is a certificate introduced by the Hague Apostille Convention of October 5, 1961. It shows that a document is officially valid in the country where it was issued and allows it to be used among the countries party to the Convention without further consular legalization. Türkiye is a party to this Convention. You can find the current list of countries party to the Convention on the Hague Conference (HCCH) website.

An apostille is issued by the competent authority of the country where the document was issued. This means that for a document issued abroad, you need to obtain the apostille in that country. We do not handle the apostille procedure itself; we provide the apostille translation.

When do you need an apostille translation?

• Submitting a diploma and transcript obtained abroad for degree recognition or enrollment in Türkiye
• Using birth, marriage or divorce certificates issued in a foreign country for civil registry procedures
• Submitting a power of attorney issued abroad to a notary in Türkiye
• Using criminal record certificates and court decisions in citizenship or residence permit applications

If the issuing country is not party to the Hague Convention, consular legalization is required instead of an apostille. In that case too, we translate the document and its certification endorsements.

What to watch out for in apostille translation

• Be sure to upload the apostille page; an apostille that has not been uploaded in full cannot be translated.
• Make sure the seals and signatures on the document and on the apostille are legible.
• If the institution you are submitting the document to requires notarization, also tick the notarization option when you order.
• If you need more than one copy of the same document, specify the number of copies in your order.

Apostilles for documents issued in Türkiye

If you plan to use a document issued in Türkiye abroad, you obtain the apostille certificate in Türkiye. For documents issued by administrative authorities and for notarial documents, the apostille is obtained from district governorships and provincial governorships; for judicial documents such as court decisions, it is obtained from the justice commissions of the judiciary. If the translation of the document will also be used abroad, a notarized translation is made first, and then an apostille is obtained for the translation.

The difference between an apostille and consular legalization

An apostille is a single-step certification used among countries party to the Hague Convention: the competent authority of the issuing country issues the apostille, and the document is accepted in the other party countries without further certification. Consular legalization, on the other hand, is used for countries that are not party to the Convention and often involves several stages. Which method is required depends on the country where the document was issued and the country where it will be used. In both cases, the certification endorsements are included in full in the translation.

What information does an apostille certificate contain?

Prepared according to the model annexed to the Hague Convention, the apostille certificate consists of ten numbered fields: the country where the document was issued, the person who signed the document, the capacity in which that person acted, the seal on the document, the place and date the apostille was issued, the authority issuing the apostille, the apostille number, the authority's seal and the signature. In apostille translation, each of these fields is translated individually.

Electronic apostille (e-Apostille)

Some countries issue apostilles electronically and provide an online register for verification. For documents bearing an e-Apostille, the verification address and code are also included in the translation, so the receiving institution can check the apostille against the register of the issuing country. For an e-Apostille translation, simply upload the file itself or a printout of it.

Apostilled documents from Central Asia and other countries

The Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan are party to the Hague Apostille Convention; documents issued in these countries can be used in Türkiye with an apostille certificate. China and Pakistan have also joined the Convention in recent years. Documents from countries that are not party to the Convention require consular legalization. Since the list of countries changes over time, check the current HCCH list before sending your document.

Quick questions and answers

Can a document be translated without an apostille?

Yes, a document can be translated without an apostille. However, if the institution you are submitting it to requires an apostille for documents issued abroad, a document without an apostille and its translation may not be accepted. That is why we recommend finding out the institution's requirement first.

Is the apostille page charged separately?

Since the apostille certificate is a separate text, its translation is priced as an additional service. When you tick the “My document has an apostille” option in your order, this fee is automatically added to the total price.

Do I need to send the original apostille?

No. Clear photos or a scanned PDF of the document and the apostille page are all we need for the apostille translation.

Apostille translation pricing

Because the apostille certificate is translated as a separate text, apostille translation is subject to an additional fee. The total price is shown in your order based on the document type, the language and the additional services you select. You can see how the price is calculated on our translation prices page, and find details on notarization on our notarized translation page.

If there is anything you are unsure about regarding apostille translation, send us a photo of the document on WhatsApp and we will look at it together. For our other services, take a look at our sworn translation page.