B.A.S. introduces the Apostille service for foreigners Spain. If you need an apostille on your Spanish document, we will be happy to arrange it for you.

The Apostille

An apostille is placed on a document in order to certify the document´s validity. it therefor removes the need for double-certification, by the originating country and then by the receiving country. For example when a in a country a power of attorney is needed to be granted before a notary public. The apostille can help to certify that power was granted before a notary as required by the receiving country.

Countries

The Apostille Treaty was signed in 1961 and ratified by the following countries:

Examples

Sworn translations can be apostilled or government documents like “good behaviour” statements or extracts from (company or property) registries. The convention itself mentions these:

• court documents;
• administrative documents (e.g. civil status documents);
• notarial acts;
• official certificates which are placed on documents signed by persons in their private capacity, such as official certificates recording the registration of a document or the fact that it was in existence on a certain date and official and notarial authentications of signatures.

Normally the document should be sent to the issuing authorities (for example for notaries). Those will look who issued the document, check its validity and attach or stamp the apostille on to the document. Generally apostilles are issued immediately or in a couple of days. There might also be quicker procedures for which a (higher) fee is paid.

The mechanism is really very useful and eliminates lengthy procedures of legalization by issuing and receiving countries.

Contact

Do contact us in writing or call 0034 610 739 364 if you would like more information on the subject. Business Advice Spain is highly experienced in international corporate matters. It has helped many foreign companies and their employees for the last 15 years to establish in Europe.