In Montenegro, the process of obtaining an apostille follows the guidelines of the Hague Apostille Convention, which Montenegro 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 Montenegro:

1. Determine the Document Type: Documents that can be apostilled in Montenegro 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 Montenegrin authority. For example:
   • Birth, marriage, or death certificates issued by the Civil Registry Office (Upravni Inspektorat).
   • Academic diplomas issued by universities or educational institutions in Montenegro.
   • Notarized documents from licensed Montenegrin 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 Montenegrin notary public before it can be apostilled.
4. Submit the Document to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: In Montenegro, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) is responsible for issuing apostilles. The MFA is the central authority for apostille requests for documents issued by Montenegrin authorities. You will need to submit your documents to the Ministry of Foreign 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 Ministry of Foreign Affairs or their website.
6. Pay the Apostille Fee: There is a processing fee for obtaining an apostille in Montenegro. The fee is typically 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 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or it can be mailed back to you if you submitted your request by post.

Key Points:

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

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 Montenegro:

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro:
  • Address: Rimski trg 46, 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro.
  • Phone: +382 20 204 209
  • Website: Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Montenegro

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