Translation of Documents and Apostille Certification for Visa - What Does It Mean and What Is The Purpose?
International private law stipulates that for working or living in another country, the consular legalization is required, along with translation of documents for visa and apostille. It is important to have an idea upon the meaning of these terms.
Modern people become very dynamic and mobile. It is possible to get academic credentials in one country first, start working in the other one, marry a citizen of foreign state, and start a business abroad. All these actions require visa and provision of specified documents with a good translation level to the employers, local authorities or the other official organizations.
In order to confirm the documents abroad, they should pass before the process of translation, so called legalization and translation of documents for visa. The translation should be made on the territory of state that originally issued the document. For example, documents issued by official authorities of Republic of Moldova should also be legalized in Moldova. Otherwise they simply will not be recognized by the official authorities of departure country. Thus, going abroad with business purposes, either studies, business or marriage, it is important to take care of the translation of documents for visa and its further getting, as well as legalization.
The same conditions apply for the translation of foreign documents for visa in our country. Documents cannot be legalized by notary and presented at official bodies without prior translation and legalization of documents.
Particularities of the legalization of documents process
A different issue represents the list of required documents for visa application and the characteristics of translation and legalization. One of the best options regarding the translation of visa documents is the apostille certification, a special seal confirming the legal status and applied on documents. In this specific case, the translation of documents for visa is known as “apostillation”. It is applied for documents and visa application in the states that signed the decision of Hague Convention of 5 October 1961, that includes practically all European states. The apostille certification allows proceeding to further process of translation and notarial legalization of documents in order to be presented at official bodies, for example, at Civil Registry Office, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Labour, Consulate to obtain visa and for other purposes.
But many states, comprising the Arab states of Middle East, Asian states and others, are not members of Hague Convention. In this case, foreign documents should undergo a procedure, known as consular legalization. This process is more complex and evaluates gradually. Consular legalization and translation of documents usually includes:
- Notarial legalization;
- Legalization in Ministry of Justice or relevant institution;
- Legalization in Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
- Legalization in consulate of the state of production.
Only after all mentioned stages, the documents will be admitted by the official bodies of the country of destination.
Thus, in case of document’s presentation in another country, the most right approach consists in prior information about requirements, the required form of translation for specific purposes in order to obtain visa and/or document’s recognition abroad. Besides, it is important to point out that some states, for example, Germany, require consular legalization even in case of apostille application.
In that context, the best solution is to contact the translation company Diplom, where the specialists can provide the needed consultation and offer assistance in apostille certification process or consular legalization, as well as notarial legalization and the translation of documents.
Apostille Certification and The Cases You Need It
The meaning of “apostille” term cannot be explained by everybody, unless the person holds a degree in law and related fields of study. Let us decipher its meaning and the cases it is required.
The development of international relationships linked with departures from one state into another one often involves the simple citizens into a circle of new legal relationships, based on international legal documents and terminology. The term “apostille” belongs to the mentioned list and its meaning cannot be deciphered by everyone (exceptions those possessing a degree in law). Let’s decipher what the term “apostille’ implies and the cases it is required.
The term “Apostille” originates from French word “Apostille’ that in mot-a-mot translation means “marginal note”, “note” or “credential addition”. This word acquired legal power according to the decision of 1961 Hague Convention. Basically, the above mentioned convention facilitates the process of legalization of the documents issued by foreign states, and nearly abolishes it for the states, members of Convention. It means if someone considers departure into another state for different purposes, when one should present the documents to the official bodies of different country, it is possible to perform legalization in the home country, that will considerably save time and money.
The process of official legalization in this case means apostille certification – the application of special seal form and content on each page of the document. It certifies the legal power of documents for their presentation abroad.
The most widespread documents submitted for apostille certification:
- Academic certificates;
- Certificates of no criminal record;
- Acts of civil status, in case of Moldova, issued after 24.02.1998;
- Court rulings and other judicial acts;
- Medical certificates, issued by official authorized medical authorities;
- Certificates issued by National House of Social Insurance of the Republic of Moldova, confirming employment history;
- Other official acts, stipulated by Hague Convention.
Therefore, if the circumstances of life lead to the departure from the original country, it would be better to assure prior apostille certification on the documents you might need on job application, studies, retirement procedures etc.
You can contact translation company Diplom, get free of charge consultancy on apostille certification and proceed to order.