If you want to use a Swiss document in another country, you may need a certificate that authenticates its origin. This certificate is called an apostille. A professional translation agency not only provides the translation of your document but can also obtain the apostille for you.
What is an apostille?
An apostille is a certificate under the Hague Convention of 1961. It authenticates the origin of a public document, confirming that the signature, seal or stamp on the document is genuine. In Switzerland, apostilles are issued by the Federal Chancellery or the cantonal authorities.
Which documents need an apostille?
Educational qualifications and certificates, commercial register extracts, powers of attorney, court documents, court rulings, notarial deeds, criminal record extracts, as well as birth, marriage and death certificates.
The Hague Convention and non-member states
The Hague Convention simplifies document authentication between its more than 125 member states. If the destination country is a member, an apostille is sufficient. For non-member states, a more complex legalisation procedure via the destination country's embassy or consulate may be required.
Translation and apostille: which comes first?
The sequence depends on the requirements of the authority for which you need the apostille. In many cases, the original document is apostilled first and then a certified translation of both the document and the apostille is produced. Some countries require the translation itself to be apostilled.
How a translation agency can help
A full-service translation agency takes you a long way. Ask which steps it handles and which you need to complete yourself: certified translation, notarisation (if required) and the apostille application. This saves time, reduces the risk of errors and ensures your documents meet the requirements of the destination country.
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