In Russia, the process of obtaining an apostille follows the guidelines of the Hague Apostille Convention, which Russia is a member of. The apostille is used to authenticate documents for international use in other countries that are part of the Hague Convention.

Steps to Get an Apostille for Documents in Russia:

1. Determine the Document Type: Documents that can be apostilled in Russia include:
   • Birth certificates
   • Marriage certificates
   • Academic diplomas and transcripts
   • Notarized documents (e.g., powers of attorney, affidavits)
   • Court decisions and other official documents issued by state authorities
2. Obtain the Document: The document should be issued by a Russian authority. For example:
   • Birth, marriage, or death certificates issued by the Civil Registry Office (ZAGS).
   • Academic diplomas issued by Russian universities or educational institutions.
   • Notarized documents from licensed Russian notaries.
   • Official documents issued by government bodies or courts.
3. Notarization (if required): If your document requires notarization (such as powers of attorney or contracts), it must first be notarized by a licensed Russian notary public before it can be apostilled.
4. Submit the Document to the Ministry of Justice: In Russia, the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation is responsible for issuing apostilles. It is the central authority that handles apostille requests for documents issued by Russian authorities. You will need to submit your documents to one of the regional offices of the Ministry of Justice or the Federal Ministry of Justice, depending on where the document was issued.
5. Complete the Apostille Application Form: You will need to fill out an apostille application form. This form can be obtained at the Ministry of Justice office or online.
6. Pay the Apostille Fee: There is a processing fee for obtaining an apostille in Russia. The fee can typically be paid at the Ministry of Justice office when submitting documents in person. If submitting by mail, instructions for payment may be provided.
7. Processing Time:
   • In-person submissions: Apostille processing usually takes 1–2 business days if submitted in person.
   • By mail: If submitting by mail, the process may take 5–10 business days, depending on the volume of requests and postal delivery times.
8. Collect the Apostilled Document: After the apostille is applied, you can collect the apostilled document from the Ministry of Justice office or it can be mailed back to you if you submitted your request by post.

Key Points:

• Russia is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, so documents apostilled in Russia are valid in other countries that are members of the convention and vice versa.
• Only the Ministry of Justice is authorized to issue apostilles for documents in Russia.
• Foreign documents must be apostilled in their country of origin before they can be used in Russia.

Documents and Information You Will Need:

• The original document you want to have apostilled.
• A completed apostille application form.
• Proof of identity (passport or national ID card may be required).
• Payment for the apostille fee.

Where to Go for Apostille in Russia:

• Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation:
  • Address: Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation, 10 Zhitnaya Street, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
  • Phone: +7 (495) 987-50-00
  • Website: Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation

For the most up-to-date information on fees, forms, and processing times, it is recommended to visit the Ministry of Justice’s website or contact them directly. If you are in a specific region of Russia, you can also contact your local Ministry of Justice office.