An Apostille is a form of certification issued by designated authorities in Ukraine that validates the authenticity of a public document for use in countries that are signatories to the Hague Convention. It certifies the authenticity of the signature, the capacity in which the person signing the document has acted, and identifies the seal or stamp which the document bears.

Documents that can be apostilled in Ukraine include educational documents (diplomas, transcripts), civil status documents (birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates), police clearance certificates, and certain commercial documents (registration certificates, notarized powers of attorney). Each type of document is processed by the relevant authority: the Ministry of Education and Science for educational documents, the Ministry of Justice for civil status and judicial documents, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs for police clearance certificates.

The processing time for obtaining an Apostille in Ukraine typically ranges from 2 to 20 business days, depending on the type of document and the issuing authority. However, delays can occur due to the condition of the document or any additional verifications required.

Please note that in order to start the procedure an original of the document must be shipped to Ukraine along with the attorney-client agreement which usually takes 1-3 weeks depending on the shipping carrier.

Documents may be rejected for Apostille if they are in poor condition, contain errors such as corrections or illegible text, are not original or properly notarized copies, or do not fall under the jurisdiction of the specific ministry handling the Apostille process. Additionally, documents intended for countries that do not recognize the Apostille Convention will also be rejected.

Apostille and consular legalization are both methods of authenticating documents for international use, but they are applicable in different contexts. The Apostille is used for countries that are part of the Hague Convention, streamlining the process with a single certification. Consular legalization is more complex, requiring multiple steps and is used for countries that are not part of the Hague Convention.

No, there are no problems. We ship and receive original documents from clients worldwide. We use courier services such as Ukrainian Post, DHL, and Nova Poshta.

Apostilles in Ukraine are issued by three main bodies: the Ministry of Education and Science for educational documents, the Ministry of Justice for civil and judicial documents, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs for police clearance certificates. Commercial documents are usually processed through relevant governmental bodies before being apostilled by the Ministry of Justice or Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Yes, you can obtain an Apostille for a Ukrainian document even if you are not in the country. This can be done through authorized representatives or legal services that handle document legalization. These services typically include obtaining the necessary notarizations, translations, and submitting the document for Apostille on your behalf.

Disputes Law Firm would be pleased to assist you in this matter.

To obtain an Apostille for educational documents such as diplomas, transcripts, or academic certificates, the document must first be issued by an educational institution recognized by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. The original document, or a notarized copy, must be submitted to the Special Agency at the Ministry of Education and Science. The process typically takes 2-20 business days. It is crucial that the document is free from any corrections or damages, as these could result in rejection.

Civil status documents, such as birth, marriage, or death certificates, are apostilled by the Department of Registration of Civil Acts under the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine. The original document must be submitted, and it should be free from any amendments or damages. The processing time is usually 2-5 business days. If the document is intended for use in a non-Hague Convention country, additional steps, including consular legalization, may be required.

A police clearance certificate, also known as a certificate of no criminal record, is issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine. Once issued, the certificate can be submitted for Apostille at the same ministry. This document is often required for immigration, employment, or visa purposes abroad. The Apostille confirms the authenticity of the certificate for international use, and it is typically valid for 90 days from the date of issuance.

Yes, commercial documents such as registration certificates, power of attorney, and company charters can be apostilled in Ukraine. These documents must be first notarized, and then the Apostille is obtained from the Ministry of Justice. The process usually requires verification of the document's authenticity and can take 2-5 business days.

Judicial documents, such as court orders, must be apostilled through the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine. The document must be an original issued by the court or a notarized copy. It is critical to ensure that the document is complete and unaltered. The Apostille process for judicial documents typically takes 2-5 business days.