Organization : Public Service Hall
Type of Facility : Apostil/ Legalization
Country: Georgia
Website : http://psh.gov.ge/index.php?lang_id=ENG&sec_id=349
Apostil/ Legalization :
What does legalization or certification by apostil of a document mean?:
Legalization of a document or its certification with apostille means certification of authenticity of signature affixed on the document, authority of the signatory, as well as certification of authenticity of the seal or stamp.
Related : Public Service Hall Georgia Replacement of Lost Residence Card : www.statusin.org/8886.html
What is the difference between legalization and certification by apostil?:
Certification with apostille is a simple, single-stage procedure and implies one-time certification of a document by one specific agency only.
In accordance with the Georgian legislation, three agencies participate in the legalization process: the agency implementing the first stage of legalization, Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diplomatic/Consular Office of the recipient country.
It is noteworthy that since May 2012 citizens have not had to visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the second stage of legalization (for certification by the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs). These services can be received electronically at institutions ensuring the first stage of legalization.
Which documents are subject to legalization?:
** Documents issued by the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia and its sub-agencies; also documents issued by licensed educational institutions in scope of their authority;
** Documents issued by the Ministry of Labor, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia and its sub-agencies; also documents issued by medical institutions in scope of their authority;
** Documents issued by judiciary authorities;
** Notarial acts (except the notarial acts relating to certification of identity of the copy of the document to its original as well as certification of authenticity of signature of the translator);
** Documents issued by administrative authorities;
** Certification paper confirming identity of copy to the original issued by administrative authorities;
** Document eligible for apostille translated by administrative authorities;
** Both the original document and the notarized copy of a document are eligible for certification with apostille as well as the certification paper certifying identity of copy to the original issued by administrative authorities.
Which documents are not subject to legalization?:
** Documents issued by Diplomatic Representative Offices and Consular Offices accredited abroad;
** Documents issued by Legal Entities of Private Law (except medical and licensed educational institutions) ;
** Documents issued by administrative authorities related to customs and commercial operations;
** Identity document, its copy and photocopy (except copy of a passport of the citizen of Georgia certified by the issuing authority);
** Military Service Record Card;
** Motor vehicle registration document (registration certificate) and driver’s license; receipts issued by administrative authorities;
** Notarial acts certifying identity of the copy to the original document and authenticity of translator’s signature;
** Regulations registered in the State Register of Statutory Acts of Georgia;
** Documents issued by de facto authorities and officials of Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia and the former South Ossetian Autonomous Region.
How to present documents issued in Georgia in a foreign country?:
Documents issued in Georgia need to be either certified by apostle or legalized to be accepted in foreign countries; however depending on which foreign country you need to present the document, you might not need any of the procedures mentioned above.