Blue Point
by Morandi Roberta
Where We Are
Contacts
Phone: (+39) 0171 324442
Mobile: (+39) 333 4990827
info.bluepoint.cn@gmail.com
VAT ID: 03886970049
PEC: morandiroberta@pec.it
HOURS
Morning: by appointment
Afternoon: 14:00 - 18:30
Sun: Closed
Via XXVIII Aprile 19
12100 Cuneo (CN) - Italy
WHAT ARE
Apostilles and legalizations
In countries that have signed the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961, concerning the abolition of the requirement for legalization of foreign public documents, the requirement is replaced by the affixing of an "apostille."
Legalization involves the affixing of a stamp on the original document to be legalized, officially certifying:
- the legal qualification of the public official who has signed the document;
- the authenticity of his or her signature.
APOSTILLE
Individuals from countries that have joined this Convention do not need to go to the Italian Consular Representation and request legalization, but can go to the competent internal authority designated by each State to obtain the apostille on the document (the competent foreign authority is indicated in the act of accession to the Convention, usually the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, e.g., in the United Kingdom all Apostilles are issued by the Foreign Office in Milton Keynes).
An apostille is usually affixed in the form of a stamp, attached sheet, or sticker, which serves to attest to the veracity of the signature and the legal qualification of the public official who issued the document, as well as the authenticity of the seal or stamp on the act.
As mentioned, it is valid only among States that are parties to the said Convention. An updated list of countries that have ratified the Hague Convention and the competent authorities for affixing the Apostille for each of the States is available on the website of the Hague Conference on Private International Law.
LEGALIZATION
In the legalization, the name and surname of the person whose signature is to be legalized must be indicated. The legalizing public official must specify the date and place of legalization, their own name and surname, the title held, and affix their full signature and the office's stamp. Private documents are legalized or apostilled only if transformed into public documents (usually by a notarial act).
The apostille and legalization of a foreign document must be done in the country of origin of the document; in Italy, they are performed only for Italian documents intended for use abroad. The sworn translation of the document must always be performed regardless.
Both legalization and apostille simply confirm the authenticity of signatures, seals, or stamps affixed to the document.
They do not confirm the authenticity of the document itself or its content.
