Legalisation
Apostille: what it is and when it's enough
An apostille is a certificate issued by the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV) that confirms the authenticity of a Finnish document in every Hague Convention country. We handle it for you in Helsinki from 138 € per document (DVV 38 € + our service 100 €), as an express service in 1–2 working days. Here is how it works and when it is enough.
Send your document for reviewWhat an apostille is
The apostille in brief
An apostille is an international certificate (a stamp or attachment) confirming a document's signature and authenticity. In Finland it is issued by the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV). A single apostille makes a document valid in all member countries of the Hague Apostille Convention, with no embassy visits.
Pricing
What does an apostille cost?
The price of an apostille has two parts: DVV's official fee and our service fee. One apostille covers one signature, so multi-document orders are priced per document.
Each signature needs its own apostille. Some documents also require a notary certification or an official translation, we confirm the exact total before starting.
See the full legalisation price listWhen it's enough
An apostille is enough for Hague Convention countries
If the document is going to a country that's part of the Hague Apostille Convention, an apostille is enough. Most of the world's countries are members, for example:
- EU and EEA countries
- United Kingdom and United States
- Switzerland and most of Europe
- Saudi Arabia (joined December 2022)
- India, China, Australia
- Most of Latin America
- Vietnam (from 11.9.2026)
An apostille is NOT enough everywhere
The UAE, Kuwait and Qatar are not part of the Hague Convention. They require full consular legalisation, an apostille alone leads to rejection. Check the destination country before applying for an apostille.
Apostille or legalisation?Process
How an apostille is obtained
- 01
Document preparation
We make sure the document is in the right form for an apostille (notary certification if needed).
- 02
Apostille from DVV
We obtain the apostille from the Digital and Population Data Services Agency. One stamp per signature.
- 03
Delivery
You get the finished document back, valid in the destination country, with a translation if needed.
Some documents first require a notary's certification. We'll tell you the exact procedure for your document.
FAQ
Apostille: FAQ
Information verified on September 19, 2026. Visa rules, fees and processing times can change without notice. We confirm the current requirements for every assignment.
Official sources: Digital and Population Data Services Agency (dvv.fi) · HCCH: Apostille Convention status table