Apostille for Iceland

In Iceland, the process of obtaining an apostille for a document follows the guidelines of the Hague Apostille Convention, which Iceland is a member of. This certification authenticates documents for use in other countries that are also part of the Hague Convention, ensuring the document’s validity for international use.

Steps to Get an Apostille for Documents in Iceland:

1. Determine the Document Type: Documents eligible for apostille include:
   • Birth certificates
   • Marriage certificates
   • Academic diplomas and transcripts
   • Legal documents (such as powers of attorney or contracts)
   • Notarized documents (such as affidavits or deeds)
2. Obtain the Document: The document should be issued by an Icelandic authority, such as:
   • The National Registry (for birth, marriage, or death certificates).
   • An educational institution (for diplomas or transcripts).
   • A notary public (for notarized documents).
3. Notarization (if needed): If your document needs to be notarized (e.g., a contract or power of attorney), you will need to have it notarized by a certified Icelandic notary public.
4. Visit the Ministry of Justice: In Iceland, apostille services are handled by the Ministry of Justice (Dómsmálaráðuneyti). The Ministry of Justice is the only authority in Iceland authorized to issue apostilles.
5. Submit the Document for Apostille: Once you have the document, go to the Ministry of Justice and submit it for apostille processing. Depending on the type of document, you may be required to:
   • Fill out a request form.
   • Pay a processing fee.
   Note: If the document is in a foreign language (e.g., English), it may require translation into Icelandic before being apostilled.
6. Processing Time: The apostille process in Iceland is typically quick. It usually takes 1-2 business days to receive the apostilled document, but it can vary depending on the volume of requests.
7. Collect the Apostilled Document: Once the apostille has been applied, you can collect the document. The apostille is typically a stamp or a sticker that is affixed to the document, confirming its authenticity for use in other Hague Convention countries.

Key Points:

• Iceland is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, so apostilled documents from Iceland are accepted in all other member countries, and vice versa.
• If you are using a foreign document in Iceland, it must be apostilled in the country of origin before being used in Iceland.
• The Ministry of Justice in Iceland is the central authority for apostille services.

Required Documents and Information:

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

Where to Go for Apostille in Iceland:

• Ministry of Justice (Dómsmálaráðuneyti), located in Reykjavik, is the main office for apostille services.

If you are not in Reykjavik, check if there are regional offices or consular services that can assist with the apostille process.

For more details, visit the Iceland Ministry of Justice website or contact their apostille department for up-to-date information on processing times, fees, and required documents.