Polina Kalacheva

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polina.kalacheva@schmidt-export.de

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U.S. Apostille in Texas: How to Legalize Documents in 2025

In Texas, USA, the procedure for getting documents apostilled will change starting August 5, 2025. This update comes from the official website of the Texas Secretary of State.

03 August 2025

Polina Kalacheva

Apostille services in Arizona: document certification guide for 2025

The authorities of Arizona (USA) have updated the guidelines for apostilling documents. The relevant changes are posted on the official website of the Arizona Secretary of State.

21 July 2025

Polina Kalacheva

Bermuda’s Apostille Authority сhanges address

The Parliamentary Registry Office of Bermuda has relocated. The announcement was published in the Bernews outlet.

18 July 2025

Polina Kalacheva

Electronic Apostille (e-APP): benefits, challenges, and global implementation

With the development of digital technologies, a new form of apostille has emerged — the electronic apostille (e-APP), which enables the issuance and verification of documents in electronic format. This innovative solution is intended to enhance the speed, convenience, and security of international document exchange. In this article, we examine the current legal framework governing electronic apostilles, as well as the key challenges faced by governments and individuals in their implementation.

16 July 2025

Polina Kalacheva

Quebec authorities update Apostille Guidelines

On July 11, 2025, the Government of Quebec published updated guidelines regarding the apostille process on its official website.

16 July 2025

Polina Kalacheva

Digitalisation of EU Corporate Law: How the rules on legalization, apostille and translation of documents are changing

As part of the ongoing digital transformation of corporate law in the European Union, procedures related to the legalization, apostille and translation of documents are being significantly simplified. A new initiative by the European Commission, introduced under Digitalisation Directive II, aims to implement digital powers of attorney, ensure mutual recognition of official documents without the need for re-legalization or re-apostille, and eliminate translation requirements—provided that documents are authenticated via EU Trust Services.

11 July 2025

Polina Kalacheva

Albania launches electronic register of co-owned real estate

The Albanian government is launching a comprehensive reform of the legal framework governing co-ownership, according to a report by Albania News.

08 July 2025

Polina Kalacheva

Ukrainian citizens abroad can now access notarial services online via embassies and consulates

Ukrainian citizens residing abroad can now request notarial services at embassies and consulates via the Internet. This was reported by the news media Strana, citing Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andriy Sybiha.

08 July 2025

Polina Kalacheva

Israel resumes consular services abroad

Israel has resumed the operations of its diplomatic missions and the provision of consular services abroad. This is confirmed by reports from media reports and official embassy websites.

07 July 2025

Polina Kalacheva

India changes apostille-issuing division of the Ministry of External Affairs

In India, the Consular, Passport and Visa (CPV) Division of the Ministry of External Affairs has been designated as the apostille authority. The relevant information is recorded on the official portal of the Hague Conference on Private International Law.

01 July 2025

Polina Kalacheva

Ukrainian Ministry of Justice clarifies when apostille is not required for documents

The Ministry of Justice of Ukraine has issued official clarifications regarding which documents do not require legalization by apostille. This was reported by the Judicial and Legal Gazette.

01 July 2025

Polina Kalacheva

Kyrgyz authorities launch Electronic Apostille system in pilot mode

According to 24.kg, citing the Ministry of Justice of the Kyrgyz Republic, the "Electronic Apostille" system has officially been launched in Kyrgyzstan.

30 June 2025

Polina Kalacheva

Digitally apostilled Certificates of No Criminal Record will become available in Ukraine

After lengthy discussions, digitally apostilled certificates of no criminal record are becoming available in Ukraine through the “Diia” service. This was reported by the publication RBC-Ukraine.

30 June 2025

Polina Kalacheva

Panama launches Electronic Apostille process

Panama has initiated the implementation of an electronic apostille system, according to a report by TVN.

25 June 2025

Polina Kalacheva

Digital apostille system in Peru received prestigious Avonni National Award

A project that launched a digital apostille platform in Peru has won the prestigious Avonni national award in the category “Public Innovation”. This is reported by the newspaper El Comercio.

25 June 2025

Polina Kalacheva

Greece’s Ministry of Digital Governance officially authorized to issue apostilles independently

Against the backdrop of the expanding use of electronic apostilles, the Ministry of Digital Governance of Greece has been officially designated as an authority independently authorized to certify documents. The corresponding changes have been recorded on the portal of the Hague Conference on Private International Law.

25 June 2025

Polina Kalacheva

Connecticut state authorities update guidelines for apostille requests and vital records certificates

The official website of the State of Connecticut (USA) has recently updated its sections on how to obtain apostilles and certified copies of vital records.

23 June 2025

Polina Kalacheva

Germany changes apostille certification fees

The German Federal Foreign Office has announced an adjustment to the fees for apostille certification of documents. The official statement was published on the ministry’s website.

20 June 2025

Polina Kalacheva

UAE updates guidelines on consular legalization

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates has updated the section on the consular legalization procedure on its official portal. At the same time, the UAE Embassy in London has issued several clarifications regarding the legalization of documents in the United Kingdom and neighboring countries.

17 June 2025

Polina Kalacheva

France publishes clarifications on new apostille procedures

France publishes clarifications on new apostille procedures with exceptions on the official portal of the Hague Conference on Private International Law

16 June 2025

Polina Kalacheva

Finnish authorities clarify apostille certification requirements

In Finland, the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (Digi- ja väestötietovirasto) has been officially designated as the competent authority for issuing apostilles. This information has been published on the official portal of the Hague Conference on Private International Law.

10 June 2025

Polina Kalacheva

Police Clearance Certificate from China, 无犯罪记录证明

If you are planning to study or work abroad, you may be required to provide a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC).

10 June 2025

Polina Kalacheva

The Hague Conference brainstormed on the topic of electronic apostille

The Permanent Bureau of the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) held an online brainstorming session on the electronic Apostille Programme (e-APP), according to the official HCCH website.

03 June 2025

Polina Kalacheva

Dominican Republic authorities clarify official responsible for apostille procedures

The Director of Legalization and Apostille has been designated as the primary contact person at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic for matters related to the authentication of documents for use abroad. The corresponding update has been published on the official portal of the Hague Conference on Private International Law.

29 May 2025

Polina Kalacheva

Croatia clarified the functions of the authorities authorized to apostille documents

In Croatia, in 2025, the functions of two organs authorized to issue apostilles have been clarified: municipal courts and the Ministry of Justice, Public Administration and Digital Transformation (in exceptional cases). The relevant information is available on the official portal of the Hague Conference on Private International Law.

28 May 2025

Polina Kalacheva

Vietnam simplifies consular legalization for investors

On 29 April 2025, the State Bank of Vietnam issued Circular 03, creating favorable conditions for foreign investors. This is reported by The Investor.

27 May 2025

Polina Kalacheva

Digital Notary service launched in Kazakhstan

Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan together with Bank CenterCredit launched a new mobile service “Digital Notary”. This is reported by Zakon.kz.

21 May 2025

Polina Kalacheva

Colombian government updated the list of officials authorized to issue apostilles

The Colombian government has given the authority to certify documents within the Office for the Coordination of Apostille and Legalization to the Ambassador in Charge and Head of Operations. The relevant changes are posted on the official portal of the Hague Conference on Private International Law.

20 May 2025

Polina Kalacheva

The apostille in Hawaii becomes multilingual

Apostille in Hawaii has become available in twelve languages besides English. This is reported by the official website of the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii Sylvia Luke.

19 May 2025

Polina Kalacheva

Indonesia called on Malaysia to join the Apostille Convention

Indonesia’s Minister of Justice, Supatman Andi Agtas, has called on Malaysia to consider acceding to the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961 abolishing the requirement of legalisation for foreign public documents, also known as the Apostille Convention. This was reported by Indonesia’s news agency Antara

13 May 2025

Polina Kalacheva

The Ukrainian Ministry of Justice officially confirmed the increase in fees for apostilization

The Ukrainian Ministry of Justice has officially confirmed the increase in the fee for certification of documents by apostille and justified this decision.

30 April 2025

Polina Kalacheva

Andorra updates list of officials authorized to issue apostilles

The Andorran authorities have given the right to apostille documents to the General Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Director of International Legal Affairs and Human Resources. The corresponding changes are posted on the official portal of the Hague Conference on Private International Law.

29 April 2025

Polina Kalacheva

Significant increase in apostille fees announced in Ukraine

Ukrainian authorities are raising the fee for apostille certification of documents by 12 times, Liga reports, citing Member of Parliament Ihor Fris.

28 April 2025

Polina Kalacheva

Ukrainian Ministry of Justice clarifies which documents cannot be apostilled

The Ukrainian Ministry of Justice has clarified which documents are not officially apostilled. This was reported by the Judicial-Legal Newspaper.

23 April 2025

Polina Kalacheva

France sets new rules for apostille fees

As part of its ongoing reform of the document legalization process, the French Ministry of Justice has issued an order regulating the fees charged for apostille services. The text of the regulation is available on the Legifrance portal.

21 April 2025

Polina Kalacheva

France сreates official signatures database to launch apostille reform

On March 25, 2025, the French Ministry of Justice issued an order establishing a personal data processing system known as the “National Public Signatures Database.” This register has been created to support the implementation of the country's apostille reform.

31 March 2025

Polina Kalacheva

Polina Kalacheva

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