In accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation, documents issued in a foreign state may be used (i.e., accepted by Russian authorities and organizations) only if they have been duly legalized.
An exception applies to identity documents.
Legalization is a set of formal procedures required to confer legal validity on a document in the territory of another state, enabling its submission to official authorities of that state.
There are two types of legalization:
⠀1. Consular Legalization. Consular legalization applies to documents issued in countries with which the Russian Federation does not have treaties on legal assistance and which are not parties to the 1961 Hague Convention.
Consular legalization is carried out in two stages:
- certification of the document (original or notarized copy) by the competent foreign affairs authorities of the issuing country (usually the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) by affixing the relevant stamps and seals indicating the position and signature of the certifying official;
- certification by the consular authorities of the Russian Federation (a Russian consulate or embassy) in the country where the document was issued, by affixing the relevant stamps and seals indicating the position and signature of the certifying official.
⠀2. Apostille (Apostillization). Apostillization (affixing an “Apostille” stamp) applies to documents issued in countries that are parties to the Hague Convention.
Apostillization is a simplified form of legalization. The Apostille may be affixed to the original document, to a notarized copy, or to a separate sheet attached to the document. It may be issued in the official language of the competent authority. The Apostille is affixed by authorized competent authorities of the issuing country (such as a Secretary of State, Ministry of Education, Department of Education, educational institutions, etc.).
The Apostille is not a separate document and exists only together with the document it certifies. Each Apostille has its own registration number. Any alteration of the Apostille text or change in the order of its elements is strictly prohibited.
Cases Where Legalization Is Not Required
If, in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation and/or an international treaty, legalization or apostillization is not required, documents are submitted without any additional certification.
Translation Requirements
Foreign documents intended for use in the Russian Federation must be submitted together with a Russian-language translation certified in the prescribed manner.
Under Russian civil law, the prescribed method of certifying copies and translations is notarization by a notary.
The entire text of the foreign document must be translated, including names of officials, seals, stamps, and the Apostille stamp.
Notarized translations must always be bound together with copies of the documents translated.
Notarization of copies and/or translations is not a legalization procedure.
To determine the applicable legalization and translation procedure, please select the country in which the document was issued from the lists below.
Countries with Which the Russian Federation Has Concluded Treaties on Legal Assistance and Legal Relations in Civil, Family, and Criminal Matters
Legalization of documents is not required. Documents are submitted without any additional certification.
Translation into Russian and notarization of the translation may be carried out in one of the following ways:
- in the country of issuance by a local translator with certification by a local notary;
- at a Russian embassy or consulate in the country of issuance;
- in the Russian Federation by a Russian translator with certification by a Russian notary.
- Albania (Republic of Albania);
- Algeria (People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria);
- Argentina (Argentine Republic);
- Bulgaria (Republic of Bulgaria);
- Bosnia and Herzegovina;
- Hungary;
- Vietnam (Socialist Republic of Vietnam);
- Greece (Hellenic Republic);
- Egypt (Arab Republic of Egypt);
- Spain (Kingdom of Spain);
- India (Republic of India);
- Iraq (Republic of Iraq);
- Iran (Islamic Republic of Iran);
- Italy (Italian Republic);
- Yemen (People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen);
- Cyprus (Republic of Cyprus);
- China (People’s Republic of China);
- North Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea);
- Cuba (Republic of Cuba);
- Latvia (Republic of Latvia);
- Lithuania (Republic of Lithuania);
- North Macedonia (Republic of North Macedonia);
- Mongolia;
- Poland (Republic of Poland);
- Romania;
- Serbia;
- Slovakia (Slovak Republic);
- Slovenia (Republic of Slovenia);
- Tunisia (Tunisian Republic);
- Finland;
- Croatia (Republic of Croatia);
- Montenegro;
- Czech Republic;
- Estonia (Republic of Estonia).
- Georgia;
- Moldova (Republic of Moldova);
- Russia (Russian Federation);
- Turkmenistan;
- Ukraine.
- Azerbaijan (Republic of Azerbaijan);
- Armenia (Republic of Armenia);
- Belarus (Republic of Belarus);
- Kazakhstan (Republic of Kazakhstan);
- Kyrgyzstan (Kyrgyz Republic);
- Russia (Russian Federation);
- Tajikistan (Republic of Tajikistan);
- Uzbekistan (Republic of Uzbekistan).
Countries Parties to the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961
All submitted documents must be certified by affixing an Apostille stamp issued by the authorized authorities of the state in which the document was issued.
After apostillization, documents must be translated into Russian either at a Russian embassy or consulate in the country of issuance or by a Russian translator in the Russian Federation.
Certification of the accuracy of the translation (or the translator’s signature) is carried out only by a Russian notary (at an embassy, consulate, or within the Russian Federation).
Other Countries
Foreign documents intended for use in the Russian Federation must undergo consular legalization in accordance with the legislation of the country in which the document was issued.
Translation into Russian is performed after legalization, either at a Russian embassy or consulate in the country of issuance or by a Russian translator in the Russian Federation.
Certification of the accuracy of the translation (or the translator’s signature) is carried out only by a Russian notary (at an embassy, consulate, or within the Russian Federation).