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

Steps to Get an Apostille for Documents in Monaco:

1. Determine the Document Type: Documents that can be apostilled in Monaco 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 Monaco authority. For example:
   • Birth, marriage, or death certificates issued by the Monaco Civil Status Registry (Service de l’État Civil).
   • Academic diplomas issued by universities or educational institutions in Monaco.
   • Notarized documents from licensed Monaco 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 Monaco notary public before it can be apostilled.
4. Submit the Document to the Department of Legal Affairs: In Monaco, the Department of Legal Affairs (Direction des Affaires Juridiques) is responsible for issuing apostilles. This department acts as the central authority for apostille requests for documents issued by Monegasque authorities.You will need to submit your documents to the Department of Legal Affairs for apostille processing.
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 Department of Legal Affairs or possibly through their website.
6. Pay the Apostille Fee: There is a processing fee for obtaining an apostille in Monaco. The fee can be paid at the time of submission.
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 volume.
8. Collect the Apostilled Document: After the apostille is applied, you can collect the apostilled document from the Department of Legal Affairs, or it can be mailed back to you if submitted by post.

Key Points:

• Monaco is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, so documents apostilled in Monaco are valid in other countries that are also members of the convention and vice versa.
• The Department of Legal Affairs in Monaco is the only authority authorized to issue apostilles for Monegasque-issued documents.
• Foreign documents must be apostilled in their country of origin before they can be used in Monaco.

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 Monaco:

• Department of Legal Affairs (Direction des Affaires Juridiques):
  • Address: 16 Boulevard de la République, Monaco.
  • Phone: +377 98 98 85 00
  • Website: Department of Legal Affairs, Monaco

For the most up-to-date information on fees, application forms, and processing times, it is best to contact the Department of Legal Affairs directly or visit their official website.