ABC
LÉGALISATION
ABC Légalisation
Légalisation de documents · Suisse · depuis 2014
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🏅 Hague apostille · all of Switzerland

Apostille of documents in Switzerland

The apostille is the key that makes your Swiss document recognised in over 120 states party to the Hague Convention. ABC handles everything: notarial preparation if needed, filing with the competent chancellery and return by post — without you moving an inch.

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Instant online quote — a PDF copy is enough for most needs.
The apostille in brief
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120+ countries
Every state party to the 1961 Hague Convention.
🏛️
Official chancellery
Affixed by the cantonal or federal State Chancellery.
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Any document type
Civil status, diplomas, extracts, judgments, notarial deeds.
✉️
No travel
Everything by post — pickup possible in Crissier (VD).

When do you need an apostille?

Whenever a foreign authority in a member state requires an «apostilled» Swiss document.

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Marrying abroad
Apostilled birth certificate and certificate of no impediment for the registry or consulate.
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Studies & recognition
Apostilled diplomas for universities and credential evaluators.
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Relocation & visas
Criminal records and attestations for immigration authorities.
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International business
Commercial-register extracts, articles and powers of attorney for foreign partners.
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Property & estates
Apostilled powers and deeds for notaries and courts abroad.
⚖️
Court proceedings
Judgments and case documents recognised before foreign courts.

How it works

1
Order online
Document type, copies, destination — the quote appears instantly.
2
We prepare the document
If needed, a notary first issues the certified copy or legalises the signature.
3
Chancellery filing
We file with the competent cantonal or federal chancellery.
4
Delivery by post
You receive the apostilled document by mail — in Switzerland or abroad.

Apostille vs legalisation: the difference

The apostille is the simplified form of international legalisation created by the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961. A single chancellery stamp is enough in every member state — no embassy involved. If your destination has not joined the Convention (UAE, Qatar, Kosovo, Thailand…), you need consular super-legalisation via the embassy, which we also organise.

An often-missed point: the apostille authenticates the Swiss authority's signature, not the content. Many foreign administrations additionally require a certified translation into their language — we provide both in a single order.

A precise quote in two minutes

Document type, copies, destination — the price appears instantly, Swiss postage included.

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More services
🏛️ Consular legalisation📄 Certified copy✍️ Power of attorney⚖️ Criminal record👪 Civil status🌐 Translation⚖ All services🌍 Destinations

Frequently asked questions

How long does an apostille take?
Allow about 3 business days for notarial preparation and the chancellery run, plus postal transit. In a hurry? WhatsApp us — accelerated timelines are often possible.
Does my destination accept the apostille?
120+ countries do, including all of Europe, the UK, USA, Australia, India and Brazil — and recently China (2023) and Canada (2024). Otherwise we organise super-legalisation instead.
Do you need my original document?
Not always: for many purposes a certified copy made from a PDF can be apostilled. Some civil-status certificates require a recent original — we confirm at quote stage.
Does an apostille expire?
The apostille itself doesn't — but the foreign authority often requires a recent document (under 3–6 months). We can obtain a fresh extract before apostilling.