The most complex form of legalization for Russian official documents is consular legalization, a multi-stage procedure involving officials from several different institutions. This form of document certification is required to give documents legal force in countries such as China (PRC), Canada, Brazil, Egypt, Jordan, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the UAE, the Philippines, Uruguay, Qatar, Costa Rica and Taiwan (the so-called Republic of China). These countries are not parties to the 1961 Hague Convention, under which most states around the world use apostille certification, a simpler and faster form of legalization.
Under international rules, consular legalization of non-commercial documents (certificates, diplomas and other documents issued by government bodies) involves the following steps:
notarization of a copy of the document;
translation of the notarized copy and notarization of the translator's signature;
certification of the signature of the official and the seal of the Ministry of Justice at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
submission to the consulate or embassy of the relevant country for the actual legalization of the document.
As for commercial documentation, consular legalization of contracts and other documents (where the other country requires it) takes place in two stages:
affixing the stamp of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation to the document;
the legalization itself at the consulate or embassy.
As a rule, the foreign trade regulations of most countries require only the first of these steps.
If you need the services of a professional translator, call our bureau Kerner. We will not only translate your documents, but also arrange notarization and apostille certification, and assist with consular legalization of documents. Requirements for the applicant's personal presence and the form of the power of attorney (notarized or without a notarial seal) may vary depending on the rules of the particular consulate or embassy, so we recommend letting us know about the planned procedure in advance.