- Apostille replaces consular legalization between the participating countries and confirms the authenticity of the signature, signatory and seal status; it does not verify the contents of the document (arts. 3 and 5 of the Convention) [1].
- As at 30 June 2026, according to the HCCH status table, 130 parties to the Convention; Spain, since 25 September 1978 [2].
- For migration procedures, the Ministry of Inclusion (Hoja 61, May 2025) requires apostille if the document has been issued by the participating country and the non-participating country has been legalized through the Spanish Embassy or Consulate; plus translation into Spanish [3].
- According to HCCH, Russia and Belarus, parties since 31 May 1992, Kazakhstan since 30 January 2001, Ukraine since 22 December 2003 [2].
- Apostille does not replace translation or determine whether a document will fit the procedure: the date of validity and content shall be verified by the receiving authority [1][3].
What's apostille?
Apostille is a certificate that puts on or on the attached document the competent authority of the State from which the document comes, confirming the authenticity of the signature, the position in which the signatory acted and the identity of the seal (article 3 of the Convention of 5 October 1961, Aboliating the Requirement of Legal Affairs for Foreign Public Documents) [1]This is the only formality that can be required instead of legalization from an embassy or consulate (art. 3) The standard form contains the title "Apostille (Convenation de La Haye du 5 octobre 1961)" in French; the rest is allowed in the language of the issuing authority (art. 4) [1].
The Convention applies to public documents: judicial, administrative, notarized and official documents on private documents; it does not apply to diplomatic and consular documents or to administrative documents directly related to commercial or customs transactions (art. 1) [1]Each authority maintains a register of apostilles and checks, upon request, the conformity of data (art. 7) [1].
When is the apostille needed for Spain?
According to the Ministry of Inclusion ’s report on the legalization and translation of documents (Hoja 61, last update May 2025), if there is no convention or agreement exempting it, there are two ways [3].
| Country of issue | What is required |
|---|---|
| Member of the Hague Convention | Apostille of the competent authority of the country of extradition [3] |
| Not a participant | Diplomatic legalization: Embassy or Consulate of Spain, signature and security label [3] |
| Any country | Translation into Spanish (or into the second official language of the Autonomous Community) by a juror appointed by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs or other admissible translation [3] |
What your document needs depends on the procedure and type of document: for individual cases see the report of the Working Group on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CERD/C/SR.63-E/CN.4/Sub.2/1998/L.7). apostille and legalization of documents for Spain and Certificate and certificate.
What is the status of Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and Kazakhstan?
The data below are taken from the Convention status table on the HCCH website updated on 30 June 2026 and the pages of the declarations of each country [2][4][5][6].
| Country | Form of participation | In force with | HCCH Registry Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Russia | Succession | 31.05.1992 | On the continuation of the obligations of the USSR, on the competent authority for military archives, reply to the 2015 declaration of Ukraine [4] |
| Belarus | Succession | 31.05.1992 | Not specified [2] |
| Kazakhstan | Accession | 30.01.2001 | The format and language of the apostille stamp [6] |
| Ukraine | Accession | 22.12.2003 | Declarations 2022 and 2023: Convention applied in its entirety except in the territories of hostilities and temporarily occupied territories [5] |
No objection to Ukraine and Kazakhstan in table [2]For documents from the territories covered by the application of Ukraine, check the procedure separately from the lawyer: we have not found formal explanations for Spanish procedures. Which authorities issue apostilles in each country are listed on the HCCH page "Authorities" [2].
What's the apostille doing?
He does not translate a document or replace a juror: Hoja 61 lists permissible translations separately [3]He did not confirm that the content of the document was correct and appropriate: the apostille certified the signature, signatory status and stamp (article 5 of the Convention) [1]The procedure, not the apostille, determines the time limit for the certificate: the fresh stamp does not make the old certificate relevant.
The original document cannot be corrected through an interpreter: first the organ that issued the document is corrected, then the apostille is inserted, then the translation is made. juror transfer.
How to Formalize Apostille: How to Act
- Identify the group of documents: judicial, administrative, notary or official certificate (art. 1) [1].
- Check the country of issue from the HCCH table: participant or not [2].
- Request apostille from the authority designated by this country under Article 6; this is specified by HCCH [1][2].
- If you have doubts, ask the authority to check the apostille by register (art. 7) [1].
- Order translation of the apostiled document from the juror [3].
- Check the validity date of the document with the requirements of your procedure.
What changes in this order are subject to the case. Russian documentsThe general question “whether it is necessary at all” is discussed in the material. Do you need apostille?We're running the kit as part of the Documents services; the procedure for residence permits is collected on the page Residence permit in Barcelona.
Frequent issues
What is apostille in simple words?
Do you need apostille for documents from Russia to Spain?
What if the country is not a party to the Hague Convention?
Does the apostille replace the translation?
Does the Apostille have a expiration date?
Based on source
- HCCH · Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (full text) ↗
- HCCH · Status table, Convention No. 12 (updated 30.06.2026) ♪
- Ministry de Inclusion · Hoja 61: legalización y tradección de documentos (May 2025)
- HCCH · Declarations of the Russian Federation, Convention No 12 ↗
- HCCH · Declarations of Ukraine, Convention No 12 ↗
- HCCH · Declarations of Kazakhstan, Convention No 12 ↗
Sources are viewed on 02.10.2026. Consolidated texts and departmental reference pages are informative: legal application takes into account official publications, changes and specific circumstances. Material has not been personally checked by counsel.
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The source is viewed on 02.10.2026 · NEXO · Drafting Draft · Sources do not replace individual legal advice.