Apostille and legalisation

Legalisation of documents in the Netherlands

Page by BeedigdeVertalingOnline.nl · KvK 14093828 · RBTV-registered translators

Last updated: 5 May 2026

If a Dutch authority has asked you to legalise a foreign document, this page explains what that means, how legalisation differs from an apostille, and how to order a sworn translation alongside it.

Order apostille for €99 See pricing

Consular legalisation is the multi-step chain, through a ministry and then an embassy or consulate, that confirms a public document for use between countries outside the Hague Apostille Convention. An apostille is the one-step alternative used between countries that are party to the convention, which the Netherlands applies.

An apostille is an internationally recognised stamp that confirms a Dutch public document, or a sworn translation of it, is valid in another country that is party to the Hague Apostille Convention (1961). In the Netherlands a court issues the apostille. With Beëdigde Vertaling Online you order an apostille for €99 per document, all-in: the court fee, the court application and the handling are included in that price.

Source: De Rechtspraak + Beëdigde Vertaling Online price card · Last verified: 5 May 2026

What exactly is an apostille?

An apostille is a standardised stamp under the Hague Apostille Convention (1961) that confirms the authenticity of a signature, the capacity of the signer and any seal on a Dutch public document, for use by authorities in another convention country.

In the Netherlands a court issues the apostille. For countries that are not party to the convention, consular legalisation applies instead, through a foreign ministry and the relevant embassy or consulate.

Source: De Rechtspraak — Apostille and legalisation · Last updated: 5 May 2026

What does an apostille cost at Beëdigde Vertaling Online?

€99 per document, all-in. This is a service rate that includes the court fee, the application to a Dutch court and the handling. You do not have to visit the court yourself; we run the whole process for you.

For consular legalisation (non-convention countries) the price varies by country, so we give you a tailored quote in advance. A sworn translation is priced separately and starts at €39 for the first page for Dutch to English or French.

Source: Beëdigde Vertaling Online price card · Last updated: 5 May 2026

Which countries does the apostille convention cover?

The Hague Apostille Convention of 1961 has well over a hundred member countries, including every EU member state, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada (since January 2024), China (since November 2023), Saudi Arabia and Australia.

For countries outside the convention, such as Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Libya, the United Arab Emirates and Vietnam, consular legalisation is required instead of an apostille. Bangladesh and Pakistan are formally party to the convention, but the Netherlands does not recognise their apostille.

Source: Netherlands Worldwide — Legalising with an apostille · Last updated: 11 May 2026

See the full list of apostille convention countries →

Countries in the apostille convention

An apostille is enough there

Legalised documents

Processed by us

0-5

Working days

Average processing time

Acceptance rate

By the authorities

See every country in the apostille convention →

What is an apostille?

An apostille is an internationally recognised certificate that confirms a public document is genuine. The Hague Apostille Convention of 1961 lets you have documents accepted in more than 120 countries without any further legalisation.

In the Netherlands a court issues the apostille. It confirms that the signature on your document is genuine and that the signer was authorised to sign it.

Countries in the apostille convention

For countries that have signed the Hague Apostille Convention, a single apostille is enough. This is a quick and straightforward procedure.

Fast processing (3-5 working days)
One stamp is enough
Recognised internationally

Full legalisation

For countries outside the convention you need the full legalisation chain, through the foreign ministry and the embassy or consulate.

Longer turnaround (2-4 weeks)
Several steps required
Embassy legalisation needed

The process step by step

For convention countries an apostille is enough; beyond them the full consular legalisation applies.

Apostille — for convention countries (3 steps)

Sworn translation

Your document is translated by an RBTV-registered sworn translator.

Apostille at the court

A Dutch court places the apostille on the signature of the sworn translator.

Delivery

You receive the document with apostille digitally or by registered post.

Full legalisation — for non-convention countries (5 steps)

Sworn translation

Your document is translated by an RBTV-registered sworn translator.

Legalisation at the court

The court legalises the signature of the sworn translator.

Foreign ministry legalisation

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Netherlands Worldwide) legalises the document.

Embassy or consulate legalisation

Where required, the embassy or consulate of the destination country legalises the document.

Delivery

You receive the fully legalised document by post or courier.

Country-specific requirements

Check the requirements per country

Countries in the apostille convention (apostille)

These countries have signed the Hague Apostille Convention. An apostille is enough for your document to be recognised. See the apostille overview for the route per country.

Germany

Apostille + sworn translation

France

Apostille + sworn translation

Spain

Apostille + sworn translation

Italy

Apostille + sworn translation

United States of America

Apostille + sworn translation

United Kingdom

Apostille + sworn translation

China

Apostille + sworn translation

Australia

Apostille + sworn translation

Brazil

Apostille + sworn translation

Turkey

Apostille + sworn translation

Poland

Apostille + sworn translation

Japan

Apostille + sworn translation

See every apostille country →

Countries outside the apostille convention (full legalisation)

For these countries you need the full legalisation chain, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the embassy or consulate of the country concerned.