Confirmation and legalization of documents

Confirmation and legalization of documents for use in Georgia (the country) or for use abroad generally involves a few key steps to ensure that documents are recognized and valid. Here’s a detailed overview of the process:

1. Understanding Document Legalization

Legalization is the process of certifying a document so that it is recognized as valid in another country. This process is necessary because different countries have different legal systems and document requirements. There are two primary methods for legalizing documents: Apostille and Consular Legalization.

2. Apostille

The Apostille is a simplified form of legalization that is used among countries that are parties to the Hague Convention of 1961. An Apostille is a certificate that verifies the authenticity of the signature, seal, or stamp on a document.

For use in Georgia:

• Documents issued in Hague Convention countries: If the document originates from a country that is a member of the Hague Convention, it should be apostilled in the country of origin. Once apostilled, the document can be used in Georgia without further legalization.
• Documents issued in non-Hague Convention countries: These documents need to be legalized through consular procedures, as outlined below.

For use in Hague Convention countries:

• Documents issued in Georgia: Documents issued in Georgia for use in Hague Convention countries need to be apostilled. This can be done through the Georgian Ministry of Justice or designated authorities.

3. Consular Legalization

If the document needs to be used in a country that is not a member of the Hague Convention, it must be legalized through consular means. This usually involves several steps:

1. Notarization: The document may first need to be notarized by a notary public in the country where it was issued.
2. Certification: The notarized document is then certified by the relevant authority (e.g., Ministry of Foreign Affairs or equivalent).
3. Consular Legalization: Finally, the document is submitted to the consulate or embassy of the country where it will be used for final legalization.

For use in Georgia:

• Documents from non-Hague Convention countries: They must be legalized by the Georgian consulate or embassy in the country where the document was issued. This often involves verifying the authenticity of the document and its signatures through multiple stages.

4. Process for Legalization in Georgia

1. Obtain the Document: Ensure that the document is correctly issued and notarized if necessary.
2. Apostille (for Hague Convention countries): Submit the document to the Georgian Ministry of Justice for apostille if the document is from a Hague Convention country.
3. Consular Legalization (for non-Hague Convention countries): For documents from non-Hague Convention countries, you will need to have the document legalized by the consulate or embassy of Georgia in the country where the document was issued.
4. Translation: Depending on the requirements of the recipient country, you may need to have the document translated into the local language by a certified translator. The translation may also need to be notarized or apostilled.

5. Special Cases

• Educational Documents: Often require verification by educational institutions and may need to be apostilled or legalized depending on the destination country’s requirements.
• Business Documents: May need to go through additional verification by trade or business chambers.

6. Contact Information

For specific procedures and requirements, it’s recommended to contact:

• The Georgian Ministry of Justice for apostille services.
• The nearest Georgian embassy or consulate for consular legalization.
• The embassy or consulate of the foreign country in Georgia for requirements and procedures for documents being used abroad.

Understanding these steps will help ensure that your documents are properly legalized for use both within Georgia and internationally.