Apostilles, superlegalizations and translations

It is important to realize that various administrative and legal acts may be connected with this process and shall be done in order to have it all arranged smoothly and without problems. Don’t you want to leave it to chance and will you prefer to entrust the translation of the documents and the paperwork to experienced professionals?

Our firm has experience of many years with authentication of documents and legal regulations in individual countries. We provide quick and efficient solution of your needs, including solving of translations and notarial certificates.

What is superlegalization?

It represents a higher authentication of deeds, with which a public deed (or a deed which has already been authenticated once for the purpose of its use abroad) is authenticated.

The superlegalization of Czech deeds is carried out by a body of state administration superior to the body having issued the deed (for example Ministry of Justice of the Czech Republic). Afterwards, a secondary authentication of signature and of the official seal of the competent superior body of state administration by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic is required. As the last step, it is followed by certification of signature and of the official seal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic by the embassy or consular office of the state, on the territory of which the deed shall be used.

The superlegalization is not required in situations where there is an international treaty concluded, by which the Czech Republic is bound (for example the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization of Foreign Public Documents). This act abolished the requirement of superlegalization between the contracting states and it was replaced by a special clause, the so-called apostille).

What is apostille?

It is a special clause annexed to the end of official deeds or documents, certifying authentication of signature and imprint of the seal on the document, with the intention of its use abroad.

This clause substitutes superlegalization in cases specified by international treaties, and therefor it is not necessary to have the document authenticated by the embassy of the Czech Republic abroad. The final certification is carried out in the country in which the deed was issued.

The apostille is usually issued in the official language of the state in which the documents were prepared. Sometimes it is even bilingual, where English is the most common second language. Afterwards a certified translation is necessary, meeting requirements for equivalent transfer of the contents from the source language to the language of the receiving country.

Our widely used services comprise also procurement of an apostille or superlegalization of corporate or other documents in cooperation with a reputable notary’s office. Do you need help with them? Do not hesitate to get in touch with us.