Moving abroad? Starting a new job overseas? Applying to a foreign university? Chances are, at some point, you’ll be asked to legalise certain documents. It sounds intimidating, but it's simply a way to confirm that your documents are genuine and valid for use in another country.
Legalisation, often done via apostille or embassy attestation, is crucial when your documents need to be officially recognised outside your home country. To save you time (and stress), we’ve put together a helpful list of the most commonly legalised documents and why they matter.
1. Birth Certificates
Whether you're applying for citizenship, residency, or a foreign passport, birth certificates are at the top of the list. They confirm your identity and nationality and are often a required document when registering your child abroad or applying for a marriage license.
2. Marriage Certificates
If you're moving overseas with your spouse, planning to get married abroad, or updating your marital status in another country, a legalised marriage certificate is often a must. It’s also frequently needed for spousal visas or joint property ownership.
3. Educational Qualifications
Degrees, diplomas, transcripts, and school certificates usually need legalisation when applying for a job or continuing your studies abroad. Employers and academic institutions want to ensure your qualifications are legitimate and equivalent to their standards.
4. Police Clearance Certificates
Many immigration authorities require a police clearance (or criminal record check) to verify that you're not a risk to public safety. If you're planning to stay in a country long-term, this document is almost always on the checklist—and it typically needs legalisation.
5. Power of Attorney
If you need someone to act on your behalf in a legal or financial matter overseas, a legalised Power of Attorney ensures that the document is valid in another legal system. It’s commonly used in property transactions, business dealings, or managing family affairs remotely.
6. Medical Certificates
These are often needed when applying for certain types of visas, such as work permits, long-term stays, or immigration. The legalisation of medical certificates helps verify the authenticity of health assessments and vaccinations.
7. Divorce Certificates or Decrees
If you're remarrying abroad or changing your legal status in another country, divorce documents often need legalisation. Some countries are strict about verifying that any previous marriages have been legally dissolved before approving new ones.
8. Company Documents
For entrepreneurs and businesses looking to expand internationally, documents such as certificates of incorporation, business licenses, or shareholder agreements often need to be legalised. It ensures that your company is officially recognised by foreign business or government entities.
9. Adoption Papers
Adoption is a deeply personal and legally complex process. If your adoption was finalised in one country and you're moving to or residing in another, the adoption documents will typically need to be legalised to ensure they’re recognised and accepted.
10. Death Certificates
While it’s not something anyone wants to think about, legalising a death certificate may be necessary for settling estates, pensions, or inheritance matters abroad. It ensures that legal processes can move forward in the correct jurisdiction.
Need Help with Translation or Legalisation?
If you’re looking for a hassle-free way to get your documents translated, certified, or legalised, TranslationWrite can take care of it all. Whether it’s for immigration, study, business, or personal reasons, our team offers fast, accurate certified translations and full document legalisation services. Trusted by individuals and companies worldwide—TranslationWrite is your reliable partner for global paperwork.
