What is an Apostille and why might it be required for overseas administration?

If you have ever had to deal with official matters abroad – such as studying, working, marrying, or settling in another country – you have likely come across the term Apostille. But what exactly does it mean, and why is it so important for certain documents to have international authentication?

In this article, we explain in plain language what an Apostille is, when it is required, and how we can help ensure your documents are officially recognised abroad – or indeed, if you are a foreign national moving to Hungary.

What does an Apostille mean?

An Apostille is an international authentication certificate which confirms that a public document – such as a birth certificate or a diploma – comes from an authorised source and has been issued in an official procedure.

Such authentication can be used in countries that are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention of 5 October 1961. Its purpose is to make the recognition of documents abroad simpler and faster: with an Apostille, no further diplomatic checking is required.

When is an Apostille required?

You will need an Apostille if you are submitting an official document abroad and the host country requests authentication. Examples include:

Working abroad - proving qualifications or providing a criminal record certificate
Higher education - recognition of diplomas or certificates
Marriage in another country - presenting identification and proof of marital status
Settlement or citizenship applications - birth certificate, criminal record certificate, and other official documents
Company formation or legal procedures - using company documents, powers of attorney, notarised statement

Which documents can be apostilled?

Among the most frequently certified documents are (non-exhaustive list):

Certificates of someone’s civil status (birth, marriage, death)
Educational documents (certificates, diplomas, degrees)
Criminal record certificates
Company documents (certificate of incorporation, articles of association)
Notarised documents (powers of attorney, declarations

Important to note - not all documents can be apostilled directly. In some cases, an official or notarised copy is required first, where the Apostille will then be affixed.

How can you obtain an Apostille?

In Hungary, apostille authentication is carried out by designated authorities. The competent authority depends on the type of document concerned.

The process may involve several steps and may require time-consuming follow-up – that is where we can provide full assistance.

Why entrust us with the process?

Being an immigration services provider, we understand how crucial precise documentation is. One single missing or improperly authenticated document may delay – or even jeopardise – the entire application process.

With us, you can be certain that:

We check what documents exactly you need and which ones require authentication
We obtain the Apostille from the appropriate authority
We save you the time and effort of administrative follow-up
If necessary, we arrange official translations of your documents, so they are accepted in the language of the destination country

Not sure whether you need an Apostille?

If you have any questions or are unsure whether your documents require Apostille authentication, get in touch with us! Our experienced team will guide you through the world of international document handling and ensure that all your paperwork is submitted flawlessly and in the correct format.