Frequently asked questions about replacement & retrieval of documents

To request document procurement or replacement services, simply fill out the web form on our website or send an email with details about the document you need, including:

• the country of origin;
• type of document;
• any relevant copies or photos.

Once your request is received, we will contact you with further instructions and details on the process, timing, and costs.

Schmidt & Schmidt manages the entire process for document procurement, replacement, or retrieval by coordinating with local authorities in over 140 countries. After receiving your request, they will assess the requirements, handle the paperwork (including any necessary powers of attorney), and interact directly with relevant offices or archives. The firm ensures timely processing, apostille/legalization of documents if needed, and secure delivery to your specified address, offering a seamless and efficient service.

Yes, in most cases, a power of attorney is required for document procurement, replacement, or retrieval, as it authorizes Schmidt & Schmidt to act on your behalf in dealing with local authorities. The power of attorney is typically simple and includes only the necessary permissions for handling your document request. Schmidt & Schmidt will provide a template for you to complete.

The processing time for document procurement or replacement varies depending on the type of document and the country of issuance. Typically, it can take from 14 working days for standard requests. Schmidt & Schmidt offers express options to speed up the process, ensuring faster turnaround times when needed.

Once your document is procured or replaced, Schmidt & Schmidt will send it to you via secure courier service. The document will be delivered to the address you provide during the request process. If the document requires apostille or consular legalization, those services will be completed before shipping, ensuring it’s fully valid for international use.

Yes, Schmidt & Schmidt can assist with both apostille or consular legalization to ensure that the document meets the requirements for international recognition.

If the document legalized by Schmidt & Schmidt is rejected due to our fault, we guarantee the fastest possible replacement at no additional cost or a full refund.

The costs for procuring or replacing documents depend on the type of document, the country of issuance, and the services required (such as apostille/consular legalization, or certified translation). Prices start at €120 (excluding VAT) for standard document procurement. We will provide a detailed quote based on your specific request after reviewing the details.

Yes, once the process begins, we will keep you updated on the status of your request.

We guarantee that all documents legalized by Schmidt & Schmidt will be accepted in the destination country. We only work with official authorities, licensed notaries, and authorized translators to ensure compliance with international standards.

Yes, Schmidt & Schmidt can handle the entire process remotely, without the need for you to be physically present in the country where the document was issued.

Schmidt & Schmidt can assist with the procurement or replacement of a variety of documents, including personal documents (birth certificates, marriage certificates), educational documents (diplomas, transcripts), commercial documents (company registrations, real estate records), and medical documents (health certificates).

Additionally, we offer extracts from foreign land registers, containing information about property ownership, cadastral details, transaction history, and legal status. These are often used in real estate verification and can serve as evidence in legal contexts.

For business-related inquiries, we can provide extracts from commercial registers and accounting statements of foreign companies to help clients assess credibility and solvency before entering into agreements.

Yes, Schmidt & Schmidt specializes in retrieving historical or archived documents from government bodies, public archives, and databases worldwide.

To obtain a certified copy of a document abroad, you typically need to provide the original document (or proof of its issuance), a valid ID, and sometimes a power of attorney. Schmidt & Schmidt simplifies this process by handling communication with local authorities, offering templates for powers of attorney if required, and ensuring certification is performed by authorized notaries or institutions in the document’s country of origin.

Documents obtained through Schmidt & Schmidt are issued only by official authorities and certified by licensed notaries or authorized translators. If additional verification is needed, documents may be apostilled or legalized, depending on the country of use. This ensures international recognition.

Whether you need an apostille or consular legalization depends on the country where the document will be used. If both the issuing and receiving countries are members of the Hague Apostille Convention, only an apostille is required. If not, consular legalization is necessary. Schmidt & Schmidt will advise you on the correct form of legalization based on the destination country and handle the entire process for you.

Yes, Schmidt & Schmidt offers document procurement services in over 140 countries worldwide. You can request documents from multiple countries simultaneously, and the firm will coordinate each process through its international network of partners and local experts, ensuring efficiency and consistency across jurisdictions.

Yes, the most significant is the Hague Apostille Convention, which simplifies the legalization of public documents between member countries by replacing consular legalization with a single apostille certificate. Schmidt & Schmidt ensures that documents are legalized in accordance with international treaties, making them valid and recognized abroad without additional bureaucratic steps.

To expedite document procurement, you should clearly indicate the urgency in your request and provide all necessary details and supporting documents upfront, such as a copy of the original document and the intended country of use. Schmidt & Schmidt offers express processing and delivery options, and their extensive partner network enables them to act quickly, even in complex or time-sensitive situations.

Yes, there are fees for document replacement or retrieval, which very depending on the country, type of document, and processing time. Schmidt & Schmidt’s service includes government fees, handling charges, and optional services like apostille, legalization, or certified translation. Exact pricing is provided after reviewing your request, but base rates start from €120 (excluding VAT) for standard document procurement.

To retrieve a birth or marriage certificate from abroad, you need to submit a request specifying the type of document, country of origin, number of copies, and the country where it will be used. Including a copy or photo of the original document can speed up the process. Schmidt & Schmidt manages all communication with local authorities, provides a power of attorney template if required, and ensures secure delivery of the certified document to your address.

Yes, Schmidt & Schmidt can retrieve documents issued many years ago, including archived or historical records such as birth, marriage, or court documents. While older documents may require additional time due to archival processing or manual searches, the firm's local partners are experienced in accessing records from various time periods and can handle complex retrievals efficiently.

Common causes of delays include incomplete or incorrect information in the request, lack of supporting documents, country-specific bureaucratic procedures, the need to access archived records, and holiday or staffing issues at local authorities. Schmidt & Schmidt mitigates these risks by working directly with in-country experts and verifying all requirements in advance to minimize processing time.

When requesting a replacement or retrieval, you typically need to provide a valid form of ID, details about the original document (e.g. names, dates, place of issue), and, if available, a copy or photo of the original. In many cases, a signed power of attorney is also required. Schmidt & Schmidt will guide you through the exact requirements based on the document type and issuing country.

Schmidt & Schmidt accepts various forms of payment, including credit cards, bank transfers, and other secure online payment methods. Payment is typically required after receiving a detailed quote based on the document type and country of origin. Specific payment options will be provided once the request is processed.