Apostille vs. Legalization

Both an apostille and a consular legalization do the same job: they make a Turkish document acceptable in another country. Which one you need depends on a single question — is the destination country a member of the Hague Apostille Convention?

The short answer

• Destination is a Hague Convention member: the document needs an apostille. Turkey has been a member since 1985, and an apostilled document is accepted by other member states without further embassy involvement.
• Destination is not a member: an apostille will not be recognized. The document goes through legalization at the embassy or consulate of that country in Turkey instead.

How they differ

Why legalization takes more planning

With an apostille, the rules are identical for every member country. With legalization, each embassy or consulate sets its own requirements: which documents it accepts, what must be done to them first, whether it needs an appointment, and what it charges.

Because of this, always ask the embassy or consulate of your destination what it requires before you start. Do not assume the steps are the same as for another country.

Where translation and notarization fit

If the receiving office needs the document in another language, the route is short: a sworn translation, notarization of that translation, and then the apostille on the notarized translation. Nothing else is needed. For a non-member destination, the consular legalization takes the place of the apostille as the last step.

1. Sworn translation of the document.
2. Notarization of the translation by a Turkish notary.
3. Apostille (or consular legalization for non-member countries) on the notarized translation.

Mistakes that cost time

• Getting an apostille for a non-member country. It will be refused at the other end, and the fee and the time are lost.
• Assuming one embassy's rules apply to all. Each consulate's requirements are its own.
• Making it more complicated than it is. For a Hague destination, a sworn translation, its notarization and the apostille are enough. Extra steps only add cost and delay.
• Not asking the receiving office. Whether it wants an apostille, a legalization or neither is its decision, so ask it directly and, if you can, get the answer in writing.

How we help

Tell us which country the document is going to and what it is for. We'll confirm whether it needs an apostille or consular legalization, then handle the translation, notarization and apostille or legalization for you. For documents that qualify, apostilles can run through our remote E-Apostille service.