Sometimes individuals need to confirm the authenticity of a document issued abroad in Belarus: legalize a foreign document for Belarus or legalize a document issued in Belarus for use abroad, obtain a new document in Belarus, restore a document that was issued by a company or government agency and was lost, stolen or damaged. Each of these cases has its own procedure. The easiest way for a private client is to contact an experienced lawyer to resolve issues related to the restoration, receipt and legalization of documents. Our lawyers deal with such client issues and will advise you on all issues related to documents in Belarus.
Legalization of documents
Legalization is a confirmation of the validity of documents for another state. Legalization can be in the form of apostille, when a certain stamp is affixed to the document: an apostille or in the form of consular legalization.
Apostille of documents
Apostille is a simplified legalization of documents in 124 states, between which an international agreement has been concluded. In such states, documents with apostilles are accepted, which were affixed by the Belarusian state authorities. An apostille is a special stamp on a document.
Which authority affixes the apostille depends on the type of document. For example, education documents are apostilled by the Ministry of Education of Belarus, birth and marriage documents are apostilled by the consular department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
How to affix an apostille
The apostille is usually affixed to the original document. If a copy is needed, the copy is first certified by a notary, and then the notary’s signature is apostilled by the General Directorate of Justice. For affixing an apostille, you need to pay a state fee — 5 basic units.
Translation of documents
For another country, it may be necessary to translate documents apostilled in Belarus. We provide assistance in translation and in the certification of such translation by a foreign or Belarusian notary.
Consular legalization
Consular legalization is a step-by-step certification of seals and signatures on documents for countries that are not parties to an international treaty.
Business documents that are used in international trade are legalized by the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
How consular legalization works in the case of a power of attorney
Step 1. The certification inscription on the power of attorney issued in Belarus for such a state must be certified by the Ministry of Justice of Belarus.
Step 2. The signature of an official of the Ministry of Justice is confirmed at the Main Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Step 3. The signature of an official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is legalized at the embassy or consulate of the State to which the power of attorney is required.
At all stages, you will be accompanied by an experienced lawyer who will resolve all issues related to the legalization of the document.
Consular fee
A consular fee is paid for consular legalization — 1 basic amount. For the legalization of a foreign document at the Embassy (consulate) of Belarus, the consular fee is 50 euros.
Document recovery
The restoration of documents issued by government agencies and organizations is the receipt of duplicates of such documents. To receive duplicate documents, we need a power of attorney from a private client who is located in another country. If necessary, the power of attorney must be legalized, and we help with this.
Application for the issuance of a duplicate
To receive a duplicate document, you need to write an application to the state body or organization (educational institution, etc.) that issued the lost document. In the application, you need to specify information that will help restore the document: the name, the date of issue, which name was issued, etc. and confirm your identity or the identity of the representative.
On average, an application for the issuance of a duplicate document is considered from 15 days to one month.
Obtaining documents through a representative
In Belarus, obtaining documents through a representative is regulated by civil law and has its own peculiarities. In particular, if a citizen is unable to personally apply for documents, he can entrust this to a representative. However, there are several important points to consider:
- Power of attorney: In order for a representative to act on behalf of a citizen, the latter must issue him a power of attorney. The power of attorney must be executed in writing and certified by an authorized person or notarized.
- Powers of the representative: The power of attorney must clearly state the powers of the representative, including, for example, a list of documents that he has the right to receive on his behalf.
- Identification of the representative: When applying to the representative for documents, it may be necessary to present a document certifying the identity of the representative, as well as a copy of the power of attorney itself.
- Restrictions: There are a number of restrictions on representation, including cases where representation is prohibited by law (for example, in real estate transactions) or special permission is required (for example, in the case of representation of a minor).
In general, representation of interests through a representative in Belarus is possible subject to compliance with legal requirements, such as the presence of a power of attorney and the authority of a representative.
Features of obtaining documents through a representative
Not all documents can be obtained in Belarus under a power of attorney issued abroad. For example, with such a power of attorney, you can get documents from the bank about opening a bank account, making a deposit, and getting certificates from companies about working hours.
Currently, there is a requirement that an individual can apply for certain documents from a public authority only in person or by a power of attorney, which is issued in Belarus. Such documents include in particular:
- A repeated certificate of registration of an act of civil status: birth, marriage, divorce, etc., except for the issuance of a repeated death certificate.
- Technical data sheet for the vehicle.
- Documents on de-registration of vehicles.
How we can be useful in restoring, obtaining and legalizing documents
Our lawyers are experienced specialists in the field of restoration procedures, obtaining and legalization of documents and speak English. We can:
- Advise you on the actions necessary for the legalization of certain documents;
- Advise you on the issues of obtaining a power of attorney, which is necessary for the legalization, receipt, restoration of certain documents in Belarus or abroad;
- Represent your interests by power of attorney to obtain documents, their duplicates, legalization of documents.
Contact us
If you have any questions about the restoration, receipt and legalization of documents — we will be happy to help you! Our many years of experience in the field of legalization, obtaining and restoring documents will help you in resolving any situations in this area.
Phone and email communication options are available for your convenience:
- +375293664477 (WhatsApp/Telegram/Viber);
- info@ambylegal.by.
