How to get an apostille in Armenia: procedure, timing and when to translate

When a document has to be used abroad, one of the first questions is how to get an apostille in Armenia, in what order to take the steps and what role translation plays. Getting the order wrong can mean paying twice and losing time, so it is worth seeing the whole route in advance. In this article we explain the general logic of the procedure, common mistakes and where translation fits in.

What is an apostille?

An apostille is a special certificate placed on a document that confirms the authority of the official who signed or sealed it. It is used between countries that are party to the relevant international convention. An apostille does not confirm the accuracy of the document’s content and does not replace a translation. The difference between an apostille and notarization is explained in a separate article.

It is important to understand that an apostille confirms the document as official but does not guarantee that a foreign institution will accept it. The final decision is made by the authority to which the document is submitted.

Which documents usually get an apostille

Abroad, an apostille is most often required for the following groups of documents. Whether a specific document needs one depends on the country and the type of document.

• Civil status records: birth, marriage, divorce and death certificates.
• Educational documents: diplomas, school certificates, transcripts.
• Notarial documents: powers of attorney, consents, declarations.
• Court documents: judgments, rulings and their copies.
• Certificates: for example, a police clearance certificate, if the country requires it.

Who is authorised to issue an apostille

The competent authority depends on the type of document: for civil status records, notarial and court documents the apostille is issued by the Ministry of Justice of Armenia, and for educational documents by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports. Translation agencies, including Apostil.am, do not issue apostilles. We deliberately do not give specific addresses, deadlines or fees, because they change. The right approach is to first find out which authority is competent for your particular document, then check its official website or the official government services portals, and call or visit if necessary.

Do not skip this step: applying to the wrong authority costs time. Also check with the relevant authority which document is accepted (original or duplicate), whether you must attend in person and how the result is issued.

The order of steps

In general the route looks like this, although a particular country may have its own nuances.

1. Get the original or a duplicate. If the document is lost or very old, first obtain a new copy from the relevant authority.
2. Check the details. Errors in names, dates and numbers must be corrected before the apostille.
3. Get the apostille. Apply to the competent authority for your type of document.
4. Translate. Both the document and the text of the apostille must be translated.
5. Certify the translation if required. Notarization is needed only if the receiving authority asks for it.

This order is the most common but not universal. Sometimes the receiving party requires the translation to be done before the apostille or certified separately, so check in advance. More on certification: notarized translation.

What about countries outside the Hague Convention?

Not all countries are part of the apostille system. If the document is going to such a country, an apostille is usually not enough and so-called legalisation applies — successive certification of the document by several authorities, sometimes including that country’s embassy. The procedure depends on the country and the type of document, so check the receiving country’s requirements in advance.

You can find examples of preparing documents for specific countries in our guides: a German work visa and immigration to Canada.

Translation after the apostille: what matters

The apostille itself contains text: country, official, date, number and seal. This text must also be translated, because the receiving authority wants to understand what is written on the whole document. The translator translates the document and then the text of the apostille and the notes on stamps and signatures.

It is also important that figures and dates in the translation are kept exactly as they appear in the original. When scanning, send both the document and the apostille page if it is a separate sheet.

If the translation is on a separate page, the document and translation are usually bound together. Check this format with the receiving authority. After scanning, tell us in which country or institution the document will be used and we will help you choose the right option.

How to prepare your application

Before contacting any authority, it is worth having the following information ready; it makes the process easier. The table below shows what to find out at each step.

Once you have the answers, take action. If any answer is unclear, ask the receiving party — its requirements are decisive. For example, the same diploma that is accepted with an apostille in one country may need additional certification in another.

Original, copy and notarized copy

A common question is what the apostille goes on — the original, a duplicate or a notarized copy. This depends on the document type and the competent authority’s requirements, so check with that authority. Do not rely on assumptions: if the apostille is placed on the wrong kind of document, you may have to repeat the whole procedure.

Why it helps to keep all translations with one provider

If you need several documents translated — a diploma, a birth certificate, a certificate — it is best to order them together. Names, dates and titles will then match, and the receiving authority gets a consistent package. This is especially important for study and family visas.

Common mistakes

• Translating at the wrong moment. The document is translated without the apostille text, or before the apostille when it was required afterwards.
• Errors in the original. A name or date is wrong and the document has already been apostilled: correcting it may invalidate the apostille.
• The wrong authority. Applying to an authority that is not competent for the document.
• Unchecked requirements. Not checking whether the receiving country is party to the Hague Convention.
• A poor scan. The apostille seal is not visible, so the translator has to mark it “illegible”.
• Leaving it to the last minute. Processing times vary, so leave yourself a margin.

On the last point: timing depends on the authority’s workload, the type of document and whether extra steps are needed. We do not give specific deadlines because they depend on the authority and the document. Build in a margin when planning.

How Apostil.am helps

We are a translation agency in Yerevan; we do not issue apostilles and we are not notaries. Our role is translating apostilled documents, including the text of the apostille. If the receiving authority requires notarization, we can arrange it as an additional service for +6,000 AMD. Our translation is not notarized unless this service is ordered. We do not claim to be accredited by embassies and we do not promise that a document will be accepted.

Prices depend on the language: Russian from 3,000 AMD per page (1,800 characters), English from 2,500 AMD, French, German and Spanish from 4,000 AMD, Italian from 5,000 AMD. The minimum order is 2,500 AMD, and 24-hour express delivery is +50%. Calculate the exact cost in our price calculator. For different document types see the document translation page. If you have questions, contact us.

Frequently asked questions

Which documents usually get an apostille?

Usually civil status records, educational, notarial and court documents. Whether one is needed in a particular case depends on the country and the type of document.

Who issues apostilles in Armenia?

It depends on the type of document: the Ministry of Justice of Armenia or, for educational documents, the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports. Check the official websites and government services portals, or contact the authority directly.

Is the translation done before or after the apostille?

Most often after the apostille, so that the apostille text is translated too. However, the receiving authority’s requirements may differ, so check.

What if the country is not party to the Hague Convention?

In that case legalisation usually applies, and the procedure depends on the country. Check the requirements with the receiving country’s embassy or official sources.

Do you issue apostilles?

No, Apostil.am is a translation agency, not a notary. We translate apostilled documents, including the apostille text, and can arrange notarization for +6,000 AMD.

If you already have an apostilled document or plan to get one, calculate the translation price or write to us. We will help you work out what needs to be translated.

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