The right order is apostilles before the move — life works differently. Good news: the chain power-of-attorney — relatives — post is proven by thousands of families and takes 4–8 weeks. Start with the scarcest document.
Apostille: If You Are Already Here
Your documents never got apostilled and you have already moved — three working routes: power of attorney for relatives, the consulate, reissuance. Plus apostilles on German documents.
✓ Verified: 15/08/2026
WHAT TO DO
› Details and tips
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Max recommends:
The power of attorney for my mother took one visit: the notary certified the signature for 25 €, the regional court apostilled it in 3 days for 17 €. A month later DHL delivered the certificates.
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Lea recommends:
Photograph every document before mailing and ship tracked only. A lost consular letter costs half a year — the copy insurance is free.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who apostilles a German registration certificate or diploma? ▾
Depends on the document: municipal and state papers — the regional government; court and notarial ones — the president of the regional court. The issuing office names the address.
Is a simple power of attorney enough? ▾
For home registry offices almost always: notarised, with an apostille on the power itself. A German notary certifies the signature for 20–30 €; the regional court apostilles it.
This takes months — can I file without the apostille? ▾
Sometimes yes: ask the office to accept with later submission (Nachreichung). Many immigration and registry offices agree if the rest of the package is complete.