Apostille Requirements for Hungarian Documents #
An Apostille is a certificate that authenticates the origin of a public document. It is issued by a competent authority designated by a state that is party to the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents. The Apostille ensures that a public document issued in one country can be recognised as valid in another country that is also a party to the Convention. Hungary is a party to this convention, so Apostilles are relevant for Hungarian documents intended for use abroad.
Which Hungarian Documents May Require an Apostille? #
Generally, the following types of Hungarian public documents may require an Apostille if they are to be used in another country:
- Court documents: Judgments, orders, decrees, and other documents issued by Hungarian courts.
- Notarial acts: Documents certified by a Hungarian notary public, such as powers of attorney, affidavits, and deeds.
- Civil registry documents: Birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, and other documents issued by the Hungarian civil registry.
- Administrative documents: Documents issued by Hungarian government agencies or authorities, such as diplomas, transcripts, and certificates of good standing.
- Official certificates: Certificates placed on private documents, such as the registration of a document or the certainty of a certain date, and authentications of signatures.
Where to Obtain an Apostille in Hungary #
In Hungary, the designated competent authority to issue Apostilles depends on the type of document:
- For court documents: The President of the Regional Court (törvényszék elnöke) in the region where the court is located.
- For notarial acts: The President of the Hungarian Chamber of Civil Law Notaries (Magyar Országos Közjegyzői Kamara).
- For documents issued by public administration bodies: The designated body is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Külgazdasági és Külügyminisztérium).
Procedure for Obtaining an Apostille #
To obtain an Apostille for a Hungarian document, you typically need to:
- Identify the competent authority: Determine which authority is responsible for issuing Apostilles for the specific type of document you have.
- Prepare the document: Ensure that the document is an original or a certified copy.
- Submit the application: Submit an application to the competent authority, along with the document and any required fees.
- Receive the Apostille: Once the application is processed, the competent authority will issue an Apostille certificate, which is attached to the document.
Fees #
There are administrative fees associated with obtaining an Apostille. The exact amount may vary depending on the type of document and the issuing authority. Contact the relevant authority for current fee information.
References and Official Sources #
- Hague Conference on Private International Law – Apostille Section: https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/specialised-sections/apostille
- Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade: (Contact them for specific procedures and fees)
- Hungarian Chamber of Civil Law Notaries: (Contact them for specific procedures and fees related to notarial acts)
Disclaimer: Regulations and procedures can change, so it is always best to check with the relevant Hungarian authorities or seek legal advice to ensure you have the most up-to-date information.
