In Malta, the process of obtaining an apostille follows the guidelines of the Hague Apostille Convention, which Malta is a member of. The apostille certifies the authenticity of documents for international use in countries that are also parties to the Hague Convention.

Steps to Get an Apostille for Documents in Malta:

1. Determine the Document Type: Documents that can be apostilled in Malta 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 must be issued by an official Maltese authority. For example:
   • Birth, marriage, or death certificates issued by the Civil Status Department.
   • Academic diplomas issued by universities or educational institutions in Malta.
   • Notarized documents from licensed Maltese notaries.
   • Official documents issued by government bodies or courts.
3. Notarization (if required): If your document requires notarization (such as powers of attorney, contracts, etc.), it must first be notarized by a licensed Maltese notary public before it can be apostilled.
4. Submit the Document to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs: In Malta, the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs (MFEA) is responsible for issuing apostilles. The Ministry handles apostille requests for documents issued by Maltese authorities.You will need to submit your documents to the Legalization and Apostille Section at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
5. Complete the Apostille Application Form: When submitting your document, you will need to complete an apostille application form. This form can be obtained from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs or from their website.
6. Pay the Apostille Fee: There is a processing fee for obtaining an apostille in Malta. The fee can be paid in cash or by other accepted methods at the Ministry when you submit the document.
7. Processing Time:
   • In-person submissions: Apostille processing typically takes 1–2 business days if submitted in person.
   • By mail: If submitting by mail, processing may take 5–7 business days, depending on postal delivery times and the volume of requests.
8. Collect the Apostilled Document: After the apostille is applied, you can collect the apostilled document from the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs or have it mailed back to you if you submitted your request by post.

Key Points:

• Malta is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, so documents apostilled in Malta are valid in other countries that are also members of the convention and vice versa.
• The Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs is the only authority authorized to issue apostilles for documents in Malta.
• If you have foreign documents, they must be apostilled in their country of origin before they can be used in Malta.

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 Malta:

• Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs (MFEA):
  • Address: 310, Merchants Street, Valletta, VLT 2000, Malta.
  • Phone: +356 2204 2200
  • Website: Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs – Apostille Information

For the most up-to-date information on fees, application forms, and processing times, it is best to visit the Ministry’s website or contact them directly.