Frequently Asked Questions about legalising documents

1. What is the procedure for legalising foreign documents for use in the Netherlands?
   Find out here.
2. What is the procedure for legalising Dutch documents for use abroad?
   Find out here.
3. Where can I get documents legalised? When is the Legalisation Desk open, and how much does it cost to use their services?
   You can have your documents legalised at the Legalisation Desk of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, from 9.00 to 12.30. The whole process generally takes about an hour. More information here.
4. What is an apostille, and where can I get one?
   Read more about the apostille, the Hague Apostille Convention and the states to which it applies.
5. How can I have a birth certificate issued abroad entered in the register of births, deaths and marriages in the Netherlands?
   This can be done at the Population Affairs Department (Afdeling Burgerzaken) of your town hall and that of the municipality of The Hague.
6. How can I have a sworn translation legalised for use abroad?
   The sworn translation of a document that is intended for use abroad must be evaluated by the following authorities: the district court of the municipality where the translator is registered, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The final step is to obtain a legalisation stamp from the embassy of the country in question.
7. As a Dutch national, how can I request and legalise a birth certificate that was issued abroad?
   Find out here.