What is a French Apostille?
The French Apostille is an official certification that verifies the authenticity of a public document. This stamp or certificate is recognized by the member countries of the 1961 Hague Convention. In countries where the apostille is in effect, it replaces the standard legalization process conducted by diplomatic services. In other words, the Apostille simplifies the process of document legalization for international use, eliminating the need for a bilateral legalization process. If there is no agreement between France and the country where the document is to be presented, the regular legalization procedure applies. The legalization of French documents for foreign countries is carried out by the legalization department of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This process is not described in this form (more information can be found here).
What does the apostille provide? An apostille is a procedure confirming the authenticity of a signature, the quality of the document’s author, and, if necessary, the presence of a seal or stamp on the document. The apostille involves affixing the corresponding stamp. The apostille only confirms the authenticity of the signature, not the content of the document or its compliance with French law. Documents intended for apostilling must include: – the original signature of the issuing institution; – the position and name of the signatory; – an official seal.
France acceded to the Hague Convention on Apostille on January 22, 1965. This means that documents apostilled in France are recognized by all member countries without additional legalization. In France, the apostille is affixed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for civil documents and by the Ministry of Justice for judicial documents.
An apostille in France is affixed in the French language and may be attached to the document as a label or stamp, depending on the type of document.
When is an apostille needed for French documents, and when is consular legalization required?
Documents from countries that have signed agreements with France regarding the abolition of legalization (including apostille) do not require additional confirmation procedures.
It should also be noted that there is a Regulation (EU) 2016/1191), which exempts EU countries from apostilling.
The following list of countries will be useful for determining whether documents need to be apostilled or legalized (from one country to another): list of countries.
Sample of Apostille
What does the French apostille look like?
Photo of French apostille:
The apostille certification is carried out by typing (printing or typesetting) or affixing a stamp on self-adhesive paper equipped with security features.
Text of the French Apostille
Apostille
(Hague Convention of 5 October 1961)
- Country: …………………………………………..
The present public document - was signed by ………………………………………………………………
- acting as ………………………………………………………………
- is stamped/sealed by ……………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………………
Attested - at ………………………………… 6. on …………………………………..
- by ………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………. - Seal/stamp: …………………………………….
- Signature: …………………………………………..
- Civil status documents, not older than three months;
- Notarial acts: certificates, attestations, powers of attorney, wills, deeds of gift;
- Administrative documents: tax notifications, certificates of social rights, diplomas and transcripts from schools and universities, certificates of education, and more;
- Judicial documents: documents regarding appeal waivers, certificates of refusal for cassation appeals, court judgments, criminal records, extracts from the commercial register;
- Commercial documents: lists of product compositions, transfer deeds, commercial contracts, and so on.
Documents Requiring Apostille
Why is an Apostille Needed If French Documents Already Bear the Seal and Signature of an Official?
In France, there are many civil servants, each with their unique signature. Signatures often change as officials periodically change their positions or retire.
To verify the authenticity of a document and ensure that it was indeed signed by the specified official, it is necessary to verify the signature. With a large number of documents and officials, such verification can be challenging, especially for foreign authorities.
The apostille was introduced as a standardized means of confirming the authenticity of documents for use abroad. This streamlines the verification process for foreign authorities and expedites the procedure for recognizing documents.
In France, the apostille is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for civil documents and by the Ministry of Justice for judicial documents. These authorities have access to an up-to-date signature database and can quickly and reliably verify documents.
Can an Apostille Be Obtained at the French Consulate?
According to the Hague Convention on Apostille, apostilles for French documents are usually not issued at French consulates abroad. To obtain an apostille, it is necessary to contact competent authorities within France.
Is There an Electronic Apostille (E-apostille) in France?
As of now, there is no electronic apostille in France. However, work on such a project began in 2022.
Electronic Apostille is issued in electronic format, including an electronic signature. Issuing electronic apostilles is one of the two components of e-APP (the second being e-registers) – source http://www.gapec.be/.
The abbreviation “e-APP” stands for “Electronic Apostille Program” (formerly known as “Pilot Program for Electronic Apostille”). The electronic application, created in 2006 by the Hague Conference and the National Notary Association of the United States (NNA), aims to promote secure IT technologies to facilitate the issuance of e-apostilles and maintain electronic registers.
Within the e-APP application, electronic apostilles must be signed using a digital certificate.
e-Register – registration of an apostille in electronic form, which the recipient can view online. Maintaining electronic registers is one of the components of the electronic application (the second being the issuance and use of electronic apostilles). In the electronic register, both paper and electronic (wet stamps and seals on paper carriers) apostilles can be recorded.
French Apostille Application Form
You can find the form for obtaining a French apostille at this link.