Apostille and Legalisation Services in Lithuania

Apostille, legalisation or no additional certification?

Apostille

An apostille is generally used for public documents exchanged between countries where the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention applies. It replaces the longer diplomatic legalisation chain, unless another exemption applies.

An apostille confirms the authenticity of the signature appearing on the document, the capacity of the person who signed it and, where applicable, the identity of the seal or stamp. It does not certify the truth of the document’s content or guarantee acceptance for a particular procedure.

Legalisation

If a document is to be used in a country that does not apply the Hague Apostille Convention and no other exemption applies, it may require legalisation instead of an apostille.

Legalisation is usually a two-stage process:

1. Primary legalisation in the country where the document was issued. The competent authority confirms the authenticity of the signature, the signatory’s official capacity and, where applicable, the seal on the document.

2. Secondary legalisation for the country where the document will be used. The document is then certified by the embassy, consulate, Ministry of Foreign Affairs or another competent authority representing the receiving country.

For example, a Lithuanian document intended for use in a non-Hague country may first need to be legalised by the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and then by the embassy or consulate of the destination country. A foreign-issued document intended for use in Lithuania must normally first be legalised in the country where it was issued and then undergo secondary legalisation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania.

The exact route depends on the issuing country, the destination country, the type of document and the receiving institution. Some countries may also require additional steps after the document arrives in the destination country.

Because different countries apply different requirements, the complete document-handling sequence should be assessed in advance. Depending on the individual case, the translation may be completed either before or after the document is legalised.

Send us a scan of the document and tell us where it was issued and where it will be used. AIRV will help identify the likely document route, explain which parts we can arrange and indicate which requirements must be confirmed directly with the relevant authority or embassy.

Exemptions

Some documents may be exempt from both apostille and legalisation under European Union rules, bilateral agreements or other international arrangements. Do not order certification automatically: first check the issuing country, the country where the document will be submitted or used, and the document type.

Check whether the Apostille Convention applies

The official HCCH status table shows the contracting parties and the dates on which the Convention entered into force. Membership alone may not answer every case, so the receiving institution’s current instructions remain important.

Official status table: https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/status-table/?cid=41

Lithuanian documents for use abroad

Apostilles for documents issued in Lithuania are issued by Lithuanian notaries. However, you do not need to find a notary, wait for an appointment and attend the notary’s office at a fixed time yourself. AIRV can manage the entire apostille process and can usually complete it more quickly and conveniently than a client arranging it independently.

You can email us a scan for an initial assessment or bring the document to our office in Vilnius or Kaunas. We will check whether the document is suitable for an apostille. If it meets the applicable requirements, AIRV will arrange the apostille, any required translation and the return or onward delivery of the completed documents.

The document must normally contain an original signature, the signatory’s position and the issuing authority’s seal. Some registry extracts, copies of original documents or other documents may need additional certification by the issuing authority, including the required signatures and seals, or notarisation before they can be apostilled. Once we have seen your documents, we will assess the situation and explain what needs to be done next.

Original document or notarised copy?

The receiving authority may require an apostille on the original document or may accept an apostilled notarised copy. This choice affects the document-preparation process, cost, timeline and subsequent translation format. We therefore confirm the exact required process before work begins.

Foreign documents for use in Lithuania

A foreign document that requires an apostille must normally receive it in the country that issued the document. Lithuanian notaries cannot apostille documents issued abroad.

If the issuing country is outside the applicable Apostille Convention framework, the document may require primary legalisation in the issuing country and secondary legalisation by a Lithuanian diplomatic mission, consular office or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania.

Important for foreign-issued documents: Under the current practical procedure, AIRV cannot submit a foreign-issued document for secondary legalisation at the Lithuanian MFA on the client’s behalf. The document owner, the employer or the receiving university may need to complete this step. Confirm the current submission rules directly with the MFA or consular office.

When should the document be translated?

The correct sequence depends on the country where the document will be submitted or used and on the receiving institution. In many cases, the apostille or legalisation marks are added before translation so that the complete certification text can be translated together with the document.

For some Lithuanian MFA procedures involving a foreign document, the translation may be required as part of the secondary legalisation service. Before ordering, send us the original-language document, every existing translation and all certification marks, and we will advise you on the next steps.

The source language matters

A document may be issued in one language and accompanied by an English translation prepared earlier. The receiving authority may require the Lithuanian translation to be prepared from the original language rather than from the English version. Send both versions and the authority’s instructions so that we can prepare a translation that meets the applicable requirements.

Documents commonly prepared

1. birth, marriage, divorce and death documents;

2. Police Clearance Certificates and other criminal-record documents;

3. diplomas, transcripts and professional qualifications;

4. powers of attorney, court and notarial documents;

5. company registry extracts, board resolutions and tax-residence certificates;

6. medical certificates and regulated-product documents;

7. export, customs and product-registration documents;

8. other public documents requested for use in another country.

How AIRV handles the process

1. Send a scan. Include every page, both sides, signatures, seals and any existing apostille or legalisation marks.

2. State the country in which the document was issued and the country in which it will be used. Tell us which institution will receive the document and attach its written requirements.

3. We assess the document’s suitability. We determine whether it is suitable for an apostille or legalisation, whether an exemption may apply, and whether translation, notarisation or additional document preparation is required.

4. Receive a quotation. We confirm which actions AIRV can perform, what originals or authorisations are needed, the estimated cost and timeline.

5. Complete the agreed steps. We coordinate the process within our scope, including translation, certification, notarisation, apostille or legalisation.

6. Receive or forward the documents. Completed documents can be collected from our offices, delivered within Lithuania or shipped internationally.

What AIRV can help with

1. initial document review from scanned copies or during a visit to our offices;

2. translation of the document, apostille and legalisation text;

3. translation-bureau certification and notarisation when required;

4. apostille services for eligible Lithuanian-issued documents;

5. legalisation services for eligible Lithuanian-issued documents;

6. document collection, delivery and international shipping;

7. practical guidance for smooth document submission and use.

What you must confirm with the authority

1. whether the document needs an apostille or legalisation, or whether official translation-bureau certification is sufficient;

2. whether the original or a notarised copy must be certified;

3. whether a representative may submit and collect the document;

4. embassy-specific forms, appointments, fees and payment methods;

5. whether an electronic document or electronic apostille is accepted;

6. the final language, translation and delivery requirements.

From daily practice, AIRV knows which details most often lead institutions to reject documents or delay the process. However, procedures change and the final decision belongs to the issuing or receiving authority.

Embassy and consular submissions

Each embassy or consular office may use its own forms, authorisation requirements, appointment rules and payment methods. Before AIRV confirms an in-person submission service, the client must contact the relevant embassy and obtain its current written requirements, including whether a representative may act on the client’s behalf.

Frequently asked questions

Can AIRV apostille a foreign document in Lithuania?

No. Lithuanian notaries apostille only documents issued in Lithuania. Documents issued abroad must be apostilled by the competent authority in the country that issued them.

Can AIRV legalise my foreign document at the Lithuanian MFA?

Not on the client’s behalf under the current practical submission procedure. The document owner, employer or receiving university may need to complete secondary legalisation. Confirm the current rule directly with the MFA before planning the submission.

Does an apostille replace translation?

No. An apostille authenticates an official document, not its content or translation. If the receiving institution requires another language, both the document and the apostille text may need to be translated.

Does every foreign document need an apostille?

No. The answer depends on the issuing country, the country where the document will be submitted or used, the document type and any applicable EU, bilateral or international exemption. Follow the receiving institution’s current requirements.

Can I send documents directly to AIRV?

Yes. Once the document-handling process has been agreed, originals may be sent to our Vilnius or Kaunas office. Include your name, email address, telephone number and clear instructions for return or onward delivery.