The most common emigration mistake: flying out without apostilles. Ordering them later via power of attorney takes months — apostille all certificates in one batch before moving.
The Apostille: What, Where and What For
The apostille is issued by the document COUNTRY OF ORIGIN, not Germany. The stamp certifies authenticity for all Hague Convention states.
✓ Verified: 15/08/2026
WHAT TO DO
› Details and tips
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Max recommends:
I ordered three copies of each fresh certificate with apostilles: offices love keeping documents forever, and reordering from abroad takes months.
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Lea recommends:
My birth certificate was nine months old and the apostille fresh — the registry office sent both back anyway. I had to reorder the certificate AND the apostille: what ages is the paper underneath, not the stamp.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Does the apostille go on a copy or the original? ▾
On the original or a notarised copy — depending on document type and country practice. German offices usually want it on the original certificate.
My country is not in the Hague Convention — what instead? ▾
Legalisation via the German embassy in the issuing country — longer and pricier. Check first: with some states bilateral treaties waive certification entirely.
Can Germany apostille my document? ▾
No: only the issuing country can. A Ukrainian certificate — Ukraine; a Kazakh degree — Kazakhstan. From Germany this runs via a power of attorney or consular services.
Does the apostille expire over time? ▾
The apostille itself is valid indefinitely. Often it is the underlying document that is limited: many offices want certificates no older than 6 months. Then you need a fresh document with a new apostille, not a new apostille on old paper.