Legalization of documents and apostilles to be entrusted to notaries on January 1, 2025

From January 1, 2025, French notaries will play a crucial role in the legalization and apostille of documents.

No more obstacle course!

Until now, getting a French document recognized abroad has often been a headache. Between trips to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and visits to embassies, obtaining the precious sesame could take weeks.

But things are changing. Notaries, those legal professionals rooted in the local fabric, will now be able to affix their seal to your papers.giving them international status. This was due to take place in 2023, but implementation delays have pushed back the deadline to January 1, 2025.

By the way, legalization and apostille, quesaco ?

Imagine having to prove to a foreign official that your French birth certificate isn't just a piece of paper printed in your garage. That's where these procedures come in:

• There legalization The Rolls-Royce of authentication. It certifies the veracity of the signature, the quality of the signatory and the identity of the seal or stamp on the document.
• The apostille This is the light version, the TGV of legalization. It performs the same functions, but in a simplified way for countries signatories of the Hague Convention.

In both cases, we're talking about an official stamp that turns your document into an international passport.

The notary, your new best friend abroad

From 2025, there will be no need to run to Paris or juggle consulate opening hours. Your local notary will be able to take care of everything. This will save a considerable amount of time and energy, especially for those who live far from major cities.

Please note, however, that not all documents are affected.. Diplomatic and consular acts, as well as certain commercial and customs documents, will remain outside the scope of notaries' activities.

Europe, a case apart

If you're planning to present your documents in a European Union country, rejoice! For some years now, many public documents have been circulating freely within the EU, without the need for legalization or apostille. This is particularly the case for all documents relating to themarital statusat criminal record or the residence.

For the others, a quick trip to the notary's office will soon suffice.

The price of tranquility

Legalization currently costs €10 per document in France, and up to €25 abroad. Apostilles are free. The rates applied by notaries from 2025 have not yet been communicated, but we can hope that they will remain within this range.

Did you know? The Hague Apostille Convention, signed in 1961, now has over 120 signatory countries. It has greatly simplified the exchange of documents between nations, facilitating trade, study and international mobility.

Until 2025...

Until then, current procedures remain in force. For legalization, contact the legalization office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then the embassy of the country of destination. For an apostille, contact the relevant court of appeal.

Remember that some unique original documents, such as diplomas, cannot be legalized as they stand. A certified copy will be required.

While entrusting legalization and apostille to notaries is a major step forward, some are already dreaming of the next stage: complete dematerialization of the process. Imagine a world where a simple QR code on your smartphone would suffice to prove the authenticity of your documents... It may not be for tomorrow, but the move towards notaries shows that simplification is on the way.

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