Apostille in Sweden – legalization for Hague Convention countries
Need an apostille stamp on a Swedish document? DOX helps both private individuals and companies through the entire apostille process — from document review and any required notarization to a finished apostille from Notarius Publicus and secure return.
With an apostille, your document becomes valid in over 120 countries party to the Hague Convention — without the need for embassy legalization. We handle all types of documents: diplomas, marriage certificates, powers of attorney, corporate documents and more.
What is an apostille?
An apostille is an international stamp under the 1961 Hague Convention (Apostille Convention). The stamp confirms that a document is authentic — that the signature, stamp or seal comes from a competent authority or function.
Apostille replaces the traditional legalization chain (Notarius Publicus → MFA → embassy) for countries party to the convention. With an apostille, the document can be used directly in the receiving country without further embassy legalization.
In Sweden, apostille has since 1 January 2005 been issued exclusively by Notarius Publicus — the Ministry for Foreign Affairs does not issue apostilles. Apostille has a standardized form under the convention and is recognized identically in all member countries.
When is an apostille required?
An apostille is needed when a Swedish document is to be used officially in a country that is party to the Hague Convention. It is a simpler alternative to full embassy legalization.
Common situations:
- ✓you are studying at a foreign university (USA, UK, Germany etc.)
- ✓you are working or applying for a residence permit in a Hague Convention country
- ✓you are getting married or confirming civil status abroad
- ✓you need to verify education or qualifications for a foreign employer
- ✓a Swedish company is using documents in a Hague Convention country
- ✓you need to submit a power of attorney, agreement or company documents abroad
- ✓you need to legalize documents for China, India or other recently joined countries
Common documents we apostille
DOX helps both private individuals and companies with apostille on most types of Swedish documents.
Personal documents
- birth certificates
- personal certificates
- marriage certificates
- divorce certificates
- name change certificates
- death certificates
- adoption documents
- copies of passport or ID (after NP certification)
Education and employment documents
- university diplomas
- high school transcripts
- course certificates
- professional certificates
- employment contracts
- employment certificates
- certified translations
Corporate and legal documents
- registration certificates from the Companies Registration Office
- articles of association
- powers of attorney (after NP certification)
- agreements and contracts
- court documents
- certificates of origin from the Chamber of Commerce
- invoices and trade documents
Countries that accept apostille
Over 120 countries are party to the Hague Convention and accept apostille instead of embassy legalization. Here are some of the most common destinations:
Unsure if your destination country accepts apostille? We check free of charge before submission.
🆕 Recently joined countries
Several important countries have joined the Hague Convention in recent years. This means you can now use apostille instead of full embassy legalization:
- •China joined on 7 November 2023 — apostille now applies in mainland China (but not Hong Kong/Macau, which have their own rules)
- •Saudi Arabia joined on 7 December 2022 — major shift for business documents to Riyadh and Jeddah
- •Indonesia joined on 4 June 2022
- •Pakistan joined on 9 March 2023
- •Rwanda joined on 5 June 2018
- •Argentina, Mexico, Brazil and the Philippines have all been members for longer
💡 Rules change continuously. Contact us if you are unsure which flow applies to your destination country.
Apostille or full legalization?
There are two different legalization paths in Sweden depending on the destination country: apostille (for Hague Convention countries) or the full legalization chain (for countries outside the convention).
✓ Apostille
- ✓single step: Notarius Publicus
- ✓valid in 120+ Hague Convention countries
- ✓no embassy legalization needed
- ✓faster and cheaper
- ✓from 695 SEK
Full legalization chain
- →three steps: Notarius Publicus → MFA → embassy
- →for countries outside the Hague Convention
- →required for UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Egypt etc.
- →longer processing time
- →higher total cost
DOX helps you choose the right path based on document type and destination country.
EU exemption from apostille
Since 16 February 2019, certain official documents and certified copies are exempt from legalization and apostille within the EU under EU Regulation 2016/1191. This means documents to be used within the EU often don't need an apostille at all.
The exemption covers, among others, birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, name changes and certificates of no criminal record. Contact us if you are unsure — we check the requirements free of charge.
How apostille works via DOX
Document review
We verify that your document meets the requirements for apostille — that it is issued by a competent authority or person, has an authentic signature/stamp and is the correct type of document. We also check that the destination country accepts apostille.
Notarius Publicus when needed
Private documents (powers of attorney, copies, certain certificates) need to be certified by Notarius Publicus before an apostille can be issued. We handle this step when needed.
Send the document
Send the original to us by mail or courier. If translation is required by the destination country, we arrange certified translation by a Kammarkollegiet-authorized translator.
Apostille at Notarius Publicus
We submit the document to Notarius Publicus, who issues the apostille stamp under the Hague Convention. The stamp has a standardized form and is recognized in all member countries.
Secure return
The apostilled document is sent back with tracked delivery, ready for use directly in the destination country.
How long does apostille take?
Standard processing is 3–5 business days from when we receive your document. For urgent matters we offer express service with delivery within 1–2 business days.
Time depends on document type, whether Notarius Publicus certification is needed first, any translation and postal time. Contact us before submission if your case is urgent.
Time can be affected by:
- whether the document first needs notarization
- whether translation is required
- Notarius Publicus availability
- postal and return-shipping time
- public holidays in Sweden or destination country
We prioritize urgent matters when possible — contact us before submission.
Delivery times →What does apostille cost?
Pricing depends on document type, number of documents and which steps are required (any notarization, translation, express handling).
Price from 695 SEK incl. VAT and handling.
Express: from 1,195 SEK
The price includes document review, any notarization, submission to Notarius Publicus and secure return. Send us a copy of the document for a free quote.
Get a free quotePricing for legalization →Apostille isn't always enough — when full legalization is needed
For countries not party to the Hague Convention, the full legalization chain is required: Notarius Publicus → Ministry for Foreign Affairs → foreign embassy in Stockholm. Common such countries are UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Egypt and Vietnam.
DOX handles both apostille and full embassy legalization. We check in advance which flow applies to your specific document and destination country, so you don't pay for the wrong service.
Countries where apostille is NOT enough (full legalization chain required):
Frequently asked questions about apostille
What is an apostille?
How long does it take to get an apostille?
Which documents can get an apostille?
What does an apostille cost?
Which countries accept apostille?
Do I need notarization before apostille?
Is apostille issued by the MFA or by Notarius Publicus?
Do I need an apostille for documents within the EU?
Does the document need to be translated before apostille?
Can I order apostille online?
Related services and countries
Related services
Common countries for full legalization chain (apostille not enough)
Need an apostille on your documents?
DOX handles the entire apostille process for you — document review, any notarization, submission to Notarius Publicus and secure return. Send us a copy of the document for a free quote with the exact price.