Apostille for Hungary

In Hungary, an apostille is a certification used to authenticate documents for use in countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. The apostille verifies the authenticity of documents, making them legally valid in other countries that accept the apostille.

Steps to Get an Apostille for Documents in Hungary:

1. Check the Document Type: Common documents that can be apostilled include:
   • Birth certificates
   • Marriage certificates
   • Academic diplomas and transcripts
   • Legal documents (e.g., powers of attorney, contracts)
   • Notarized documents (e.g., affidavits)
2. Obtain the Document: The document must be issued by a competent Hungarian authority, such as:
   • A government office (e.g., the civil registry for birth or marriage certificates).
   • An educational institution (for diplomas and transcripts).
   • A notary public (for notarized documents).
3. Notarization (if required): Some documents (such as contracts or powers of attorney) must be notarized before an apostille can be applied. If this is the case, you will need to have the document notarized by a certified Hungarian notary.
4. Visit the Appropriate Authority for Apostille: In Hungary, the Apostille service is provided by the Hungarian Ministry of Justice (Igazságügyi Minisztérium). The Ministry is responsible for issuing apostilles for Hungarian documents. You can apply for an apostille at:
   • The Central Authority for Apostille located in Budapest, which is the main office handling apostille requests.
   • Alternatively, some regional offices (depending on the document) may also process apostilles.
5. Submit the Document for Apostille: You will need to take the original document to the Ministry of Justice or a designated office for apostille processing. Be prepared to:
   • Fill out a request form (if necessary).
   • Pay the applicable fee for the apostille service.
6. Processing Time: The apostille processing time is typically quick, usually taking 1–3 business days. However, this can vary depending on the office and the volume of requests.
7. Collect the Apostilled Document: Once the apostille has been affixed, you can collect the apostilled document. The apostille will be a stamp or sticker placed on the document, verifying its authenticity for international use.

Key Points:

• Hungary is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, so apostilled documents from Hungary are recognized by other countries that are also members of the convention, and vice versa.
• The apostille process in Hungary is managed by the Ministry of Justice, and documents issued by Hungarian authorities can be apostilled.
• If you are dealing with documents from abroad, they must first be apostilled in the country of origin before they can be used in Hungary.

Documents and Information to Provide:

• The original document that requires apostille.
• A completed request form (if applicable).
• Proof of identity (e.g., passport, national ID) may be required.
• Payment for the apostille fee.

Where to Go for Apostille in Hungary:

• Ministry of Justice (Igazságügyi Minisztérium): The Ministry’s Apostille Department is located in Budapest. If you are not in the capital, contact local offices to inquire about apostille services.

For more detailed information, you can visit the Hungarian Ministry of Justice website or contact their apostille department directly to confirm the latest procedures, fees, and office hours.