For the most part, legalising a document from one signatory country of the Hague Convention for use in another signatory country is straightforward. The Hague Apostille eliminates the need for double-certification by Embassies. However, there are certain circumstances in which, despite recognition of the apostille, it is necessary to fulfil further steps before sending a document to another country.
Some of the most common extra steps include:
- Verification of translations,
- Verification of the equivalency of academic qualifications,
- Verification of the equivalency of vocational qualifications.
Spain requires both of the first two extra steps for specific documents and under specific circumstances. Translations of apostilled marriage certificates into Spanish, for instance, will generally need to be certified by the Spanish Embassy. The exception is if they are completed as certified or sworn translations by an official Spanish translator. This means that rather than simply requiring an apostille, using a UK marriage certificate in Spain is two-part process:
- Hague Apostille of the original marriage certificate by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO),
- Verification of the translated marriage certificate by the Spanish Embassy.
Spain’s process for the verification of academic qualification is homologation (homologación). Either the Spanish Embassy or by the Spanish Ministry of Education can complete this process. Just like translation verification, this is an extra step which comes after the process of document legalisation. Previously, non-university academic documents submitted for homologation, such as A-level and GCSE certificates, did not require apostilles. However, as of November 1st, 2021, all academic documents originating from the UK will require apostilles before submission to the Ministry of Education. This means that having an academic document recognised in Spain is now, likewise, a three-part process:
- Certification or verification by a UK solicitor or notary, confirming the certificates or transcripts as valid in the UK,
- Apostille by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), legalising the certificates or transcripts for use Spain,
- Homologation by the Spanish Embassy or Ministry of Education, verifying the equivalency of the certificates or transcripts.
Similar processes of validation for degrees and academic certificates exist in other European countries as well, including France and Germany.
In Germany, vocational qualifications similiarly require verification from the German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Deutscher Industrie- und Handelskammertag, or DIHK), even if they already have the Hague Apostille. These processes are necessary because, while these documents may be legal and valid thanks to the apostille, they are not necessarily direct equivalents to the local qualifications.
As you can see, the processes documents must undergo do not necessarily end with legalisation, even in countries that recognise the Hague Apostille. We are happy to arrange the certification, notarisation, and legalisation of your documents. Depending on the further steps you require, we may even be able to help with these, too. As part of our network of professionals, we are in contact with certified translators who have experience producing legal translations. If you require an accurate translation of your documents following legalisation, we are able to arrange this. Please get in touch if you would like to know more about this additional service.