Apostille versus Double Legalisation
Double legalisation belongs to the consular system: the Foreign Affairs Office certifies once and the destination embassy certifies again. An Apostille is a separate system completed in one step. The two are alternatives, never combined.
Key Points
- Single legalisation: Foreign Affairs Office only
- Double legalisation: Foreign Affairs Office plus embassy
- Apostille: Foreign Affairs Office alone, separate system
- Contracting Parties use Apostille, others double legalisation
- An Apostille never needs embassy certification on top
Legal Basis
Consular Legalisation Measures; Hague Apostille Convention Article 2.