How does document legalisation work?

1. Confirm what the recipient needs

Ask the organisation requesting your document which version it needs, how recent it must be and whether a translation is required. Record the country where the document was issued and the country where you will use it.

Legalisation checks matters such as the issuing authority and the authenticity of a signature, seal or stamp. It does not establish that the document’s content is correct.

2. Check the applicable legalisation route

Use the official document and country guidance to establish whether an apostille, another legalisation procedure or an exemption applies. Our explanation of apostille and legalisation sets out the difference.

For a Dutch document used abroad, start with the NetherlandsWorldwide document selector. For a foreign document used in the Netherlands, follow the country-of-issue guidance. The types of documents that may need an apostille are a useful starting point, but the document type alone does not determine the route.

3. Obtain the required document and signatures

Check whether you need an original, an officially certified copy or another form of the document. Some Dutch documents need authentication by another authority before the district court can issue an apostille. For example, educational documents may first require DUO legalisation.

For a Dutch district-court application, the official document is required on paper. If you only have a digital document, ask the issuing organisation how to obtain the appropriate paper version. A Dutch apostille cannot be issued for a document from another country.

4. Plan the translation alongside legalisation

Ask the recipient whether it needs a sworn translation and whether the original document, the translation or both need authentication. The order of the steps depends on the document and the applicable route.

Give your translation adviser these instructions before work starts. Where appropriate, Urgent Vertalen can arrange the translation and the applicable legalisation steps for Dutch documents and sworn translations made in the Netherlands through our legalisation service.

5. Agree the work, price and delivery

Allow time for every agreed step, including any appointments, processing by authorities and delivery of paper documents. A translation deadline does not determine how quickly another authority can process a legalisation.

Request your no-obligation quote with your document, issuing country, destination and deadline. Our advisers will explain the proposed work and confirm the price and timing for your request.

Official guidance

Use NetherlandsWorldwide’s guidance for Dutch documents or its country guidance for foreign documents used in the Netherlands. For court requirements, consult Rechtspraak’s apostille and legalisation information (in Dutch).