Q: What is an apostille?

Apostille proves the authenticity. An apostille is an internationally recognised certificate—attached to a public document—that confirms the authenticity of the signer, seal, and capacity in which the document was issued. It allows the document to be accepted in any other state that has joined the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention (you can check the current list of member countries on the convention’s website). In Estonia, only public notaries may issue a public document. Because the same notary cannot both notarise a document and apostille it, the process normally involves two separate notaries : Notary A notarises or authenticates the original document. Notary B adds the apostille that certifies Notary A’s authority and signature. After notarisation and apostilling, the document is usually translated by a sworn translator into the language required by the receiving country. Courier or postal delivery costs are extra and depend on the shipping method you select.

Question 1

Why is there a need for Apostille?

John Doe · Accepted Answer

It lets you use the documents abroad.

You need apostilled documents whenever your Estonian company must prove its legal standing abroad. The apostille lets foreign banks, authorities, and business partners trust that the papers are genuine, enabling you to open non-Estonian bank accounts, sign contracts, or complete transactions in other countries without additional verification.

Question 2

What is an apostille?

John Doe · Accepted Answer

Apostille proves the authenticity.

An apostille is an internationally recognised certificate—attached to a public document—that confirms the authenticity of the signer, seal, and capacity in which the document was issued. It allows the document to be accepted in any other state that has joined the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention (you can check the current list of member countries on the convention’s website).

In Estonia, only public notaries may issue a public document. Because the same notary cannot both notarise a document and apostille it, the process normally involves two separate notaries:

Notary A notarises or authenticates the original document.
Notary B adds the apostille that certifies Notary A’s authority and signature.

After notarisation and apostilling, the document is usually translated by a sworn translator into the language required by the receiving country. Courier or postal delivery costs are extra and depend on the shipping method you select.

Question 3

Requirements for a Power of Attorney?

John Doe · Accepted Answer

Power of attorney (PoA) authorises us to act on your behalf for the transactions you specify.

To be valid in Estonia and recognised abroad, it must meet three basic requirements:

Notarial form – The PoA must be signed before a notary (in Estonia or abroad).
Proper authentication –
- If the PoA is signed in a country that is party to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention, the notary’s signature must be apostilled.
- If the country is not a member of the Convention, the document must be legalised through that country’s foreign ministry and the Estonian embassy or consulate.
Language – The notary act should be in Estonian or accompanied by a sworn translation into Estonian or English.

Step-by-step process

Draft – We supply a template that details the exact powers you wish to grant.
Notarisation – You sign before a notary; the notary verifies your identity and capacity.
Apostille/legalisation – applied as required by the country of signature.
Translation (if needed) – Performed by a sworn translator.
Delivery – Send the original or a certified copy to us; courier fees depend on the service selected.

Country-specific nuances

Most jurisdictions follow the Hague Apostille rules, but some (e.g., Canada, UAE) still require full consular legalisation.

With a properly notarised and authenticated PoA in place, we can conduct the authorised transactions smoothly and in full compliance with international and Estonian law.

Apostille

Apostilled Documents

Power of attorney