Apply for an apostille

If possible, find out about the exact procedure from the competent authority before submitting your application.

• Suchen Sie die zuständige Behörde auf. Make an appointment by telephone.
• Identify yourself with your identity card or passport.
• State the country in which you wish to use the certificate.
• Present the original document.
• Pay the fee at the relevant office.

The Federal Office of Administration is generally responsible for federal documents.

In Rhineland-Palatinate, the Ministry of Justice is responsible for documents from the administration of justice for the documents it issues and the presidents of the regional courts are responsible for all other documents issued in their respective districts.

The Supervisory and Service Directorate issues the apostille for all other public documents.

You will need the original documents to be notarized as well as your identity card,

The standard fee for the certification of a public document for use abroad is 26.00 euros.

For documents with the same signature and if the certifications are requested with an application, the fee is reduced to EUR 24.00 from the 11th certification, EUR 22.00 from the 51st certification, EUR 20.00 from the 101st certification and EUR 18.00 from the 201st certification.

• Act on the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents
• Ordinance on the issuance of the Apostille pursuant to Article 3 of the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents
• Notarization of domestic public documents for use abroad
• State ordinance on fees for general and internal administration, including police administration (special fee schedule)

Further information on legal and consular matters can be found on the websites of the Federal Foreign Office and the German missions abroad.

• Information on consular matters (website of the Federal Foreign Office)

01.10.2019