Guide
Apostille or legalisation? How to know which you need
Which one your document needs comes down to one thing: whether the destination country is part of the Hague Apostille Convention.
The 10-second answer
The country is a Hague member
An apostille is enough, a single certificate from DVV.
The country is not a member (e.g. UAE, Kuwait, Qatar)
You need full legalisation: DVV → Foreign Ministry → embassy.
What is an apostille
An apostille is a single certificate issued by DVV in Finland. It's valid as-is in all Hague Apostille Convention countries, no separate embassy confirmation is needed.
What is consular legalisation
If the destination country isn't part of the convention, the document needs the full chain: notary (DVV) → Foreign Ministry → the country's embassy in Helsinki → that country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Each step confirms the previous one.
Important: an apostille is not enough for the UAE, Kuwait or Qatar
These countries are not part of the Hague Convention. An apostille alone leads to the document being rejected by ministries, courts, banks and immigration authorities. Use full legalisation.
Saudi Arabia changed in 2022
Saudi Arabia joined the Hague Apostille Convention on 7 December 2022. Since then an apostille is enough for Saudi Arabia, unlike the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar, which still require full legalisation.
Countries
Country reference
Full legalisation (not a Hague member)
Apostille is enough (Hague member)
Most Western countries and many others are Hague members (apostille is enough). Check your country. We'll tell you right away.
FAQ