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Documents & identity

Have a document legalised (apostille)

Official name: Prepare an apostille or document authentication

A certificate from one country is meant to count in another country. For this, it often needs a confirmation that it is genuine. Here you see which confirmation you need and where to get it.

Check what applies to me

No account · Answers stay in your browser

Steps
6 key steps, up to 17 depending on your situation
For you
5 short questions, then you see your steps
Main office
Receiving service
Costs
none named in the sources
Online
possible for 2 of 17 steps
What applies to you?How it worksFrequently asked questionsSourcesSimilar plans

How it works

These are the key steps, in the right order. Answer the short questions; then you see exactly what applies to you and what is added.

  1. 1Ask exactly what is requiredFirst you find out what exactly is required. It depends on the certificate's country, the target country and the kind of certificate.Key step
    Why?
    The rules differ depending on the direction. Your citizenship alone does not decide it.
    What you do
    Ask the office that is to receive the certificate. Ask which confirmation it needs exactly.
    Where?
    Receiving serviceDirectly with the named service
    In detail

    Confirm requirements for this record and direction

    Clarify issuing country, destination and record type with the receiving service. Exemption in the reverse direction does not automatically apply. Citizenship alone does not determine the route.

    SourceWiener Urkunden für das Ausland: Apostille und Beglaubigung
    Wiener Urkunden für das Ausland: Apostille und Beglaubigung

    Stadt Wien · MA 63 · retrieved on 10/10/2026

    Open original source
  2. 2Check the EU simplificationBetween EU countries, some certificates are easier. For example, for birth, marriage or residence. The EU is a group of countries in Europe.Key step
    Why?
    Then you may need fewer confirmations. But not every certificate from the EU is covered.
    What you do
    Ask the office whether the rule applies to your certificate. There are multilingual forms. You hand them in together with the certificate.
    Where?
    Receiving service / AusstellerDirectly with the named service
    In detail

    Check EU facilitation and translation aid

    The EU rule covers specific public records, such as birth, marriage, residence or citizenship. Not every EU record is covered. Multilingual standard forms must accompany their underlying record.

    SourceEU-Urkundenverordnung und mehrsprachige Standardformulare
    EU-Urkundenverordnung und mehrsprachige Standardformulare

    Bundesministerium für europäische und internationale Angelegenheiten · retrieved on 10/10/2026

    Open original source
  3. 3Get the apostille at the StadtserviceYour certificate comes from a Vienna Standesamt. The Standesamt is the office for births, marriages and deaths. You get the Apostille at the Stadtservice.Key step
    Why?
    The Apostille is a stamp. It confirms that the certificate is genuine.
    What you do
    Make an appointment at the Stadtservice. Does the certificate come from a former Standesamt in the surrounding area? Then the Bezirkshauptmannschaft is responsible.
    Where?
    Stadtservice WienDirectly with the named service
    In detail

    Arrange the Vienna apostille with the city service

    Vienna names the city service for these Vienna registry/historical records. Arrange an appointment. Former surrounding registry offices instead require the competent district authority.

    SourceWiener Urkunden für das Ausland: Apostille und Beglaubigung
    Wiener Urkunden für das Ausland: Apostille und Beglaubigung

    Stadt Wien · MA 63 · retrieved on 10/10/2026

    Open original source
  4. 4Do the first step at the issuerThe first step happens where the certificate was made. For example, at the Vienna Standesamt.Key step
    Why?
    Without this first step, you cannot continue. After that, more confirmations follow.
    What you do
    Have the certificate authenticated at the Standesamt or the old issuer. Ask beforehand about the fees and the next step.
    Where?
    Standesamt Wien / AltmatrikenführerDirectly with the named service
    In detail

    Complete the Vienna initial authentication

    Have the Vienna registry authenticate its record, or the historical register issuer its record. Confirm the subsequent route and fees beforehand.

    SourceWiener Urkunden für das Ausland: Apostille und Beglaubigung
    Wiener Urkunden für das Ausland: Apostille und Beglaubigung

    Stadt Wien · MA 63 · retrieved on 10/10/2026

    Open original source
  5. 5Have the translation firmly attachedThe translation must be firmly joined to the certificate. They cannot be separated.Key step
    Why?
    Only then can the BMEIA confirm both together. A loose translation is not enough.
    What you do
    Have the translation firmly attached to the certificate. Ask the translation or authentication office about this.
    Where?
    Zuständige Übersetzung / BeglaubigungsstelleDirectly with the named service

    What you need

    • Record with inseparably attached translation
      Document explained

      Agree attachment with the service.

      Requirement
      Check for your case
      Submission format
      Clarify format with the service
      Translation
      No specific rule recorded; clarify foreign-language records with the service.
      Authentication
      No specific rule recorded; clarify need before obtaining records.
      Recency
      No fixed age limit recorded; clarify currency with the service.
      SourceBeglaubigung in Österreich: Dokumentenform und Voraussetzungen
      Beglaubigung in Österreich: Dokumentenform und Voraussetzungen

      Bundesministerium für europäische und internationale Angelegenheiten · retrieved on 10/10/2026

      Open original source
    In detail

    Have the translation inseparably attached to the record

    For BMEIA authentication the translation must be inseparably attached to the record. Do not treat a detached translation as a completed authenticatable set.

    SourceBeglaubigung in Österreich: Dokumentenform und Voraussetzungen
    Beglaubigung in Österreich: Dokumentenform und Voraussetzungen

    Bundesministerium für europäische und internationale Angelegenheiten · retrieved on 10/10/2026

    Open original source
  6. 6Wait for the replyYou have already handed in your certificate. Now you are waiting for an answer.Key step
    Why?
    The office may need something else. Handing it in a second time is usually not needed.
    What you do
    Ask the office how things are going. Also ask whether anything is missing.
    Where?
    Service already responsibleDirectly with the named service
    In detail

    Follow the existing procedure and response

    Clarify the response and further requirements with the existing authentication service. Do not use a second submission as the standard solution.

    SourceBeglaubigung ausländischer Urkunden durch Vertretungsbehörden
    Beglaubigung ausländischer Urkunden durch Vertretungsbehörden

    Bundesministerium für europäische und internationale Angelegenheiten · retrieved on 10/10/2026

    Open original source

Depending on your situation, this is added

  • Note the confirmed exemption
  • Get the apostille in the issuing country
  • Plan the chain of certifications
  • Check the embassy's current rules
  • Get a proper official copy
  • Ask about the e-Apostille
  • Get the document on paper
  • Get the next certification at the Stadtservice
  • Find the responsible office
  • Prepare the full paper chain for the BMEIA
  • Send the missing papers
Use the questions to find out which of these apply to you
Tailored to you

What applies to you?

Answer a few short questions. The steps change right away: what does not apply to you drops out.

Question 1 of at most 5

How far along are you with your document?

What is meant? This means: How far along are you? Are you still preparing, waiting for an answer, or was the certificate already accepted?

What is the stage of this record procedure?
  • No sign-up needed
  • Nothing is sent to authorities
  • You submit applications yourself

Frequently asked questions

Can I do this online?

2 of 17 possible steps mention an online channel in their text. Requirements are in the official source.

What does it cost?

No costs are recorded for these steps in the linked sources. Fees may still apply.

Do I need an einfach.wien account?

No. The plan works without registration; answers stay in your browser.

Does einfach.wien submit my application?

No. einfach.wien helps you prepare and links official channels. You submit applications yourself to the responsible service.

What this page is based on

The information is based on official sources. einfach.wien is a private project; the content has not been professionally reviewed. All information without guarantee, no legal advice. The responsible office is always authoritative.

SourceWiener Urkunden für das Ausland: Apostille und Beglaubigung
Wiener Urkunden für das Ausland: Apostille und Beglaubigung

Stadt Wien · MA 63 · retrieved on 10/10/2026

Open original source
SourceEU-Urkundenverordnung und mehrsprachige Standardformulare
EU-Urkundenverordnung und mehrsprachige Standardformulare

Bundesministerium für europäische und internationale Angelegenheiten · retrieved on 10/10/2026

Open original source
SourceAusländische Urkunden für Österreich: Verfahrenswege
Ausländische Urkunden für Österreich: Verfahrenswege

Stadt Wien · MA 63 · retrieved on 10/10/2026

Open original source
SourceBeglaubigung ausländischer Urkunden durch Vertretungsbehörden
Beglaubigung ausländischer Urkunden durch Vertretungsbehörden

Bundesministerium für europäische und internationale Angelegenheiten · retrieved on 10/10/2026

Open original source
SourceBeglaubigung in Österreich: Dokumentenform und Voraussetzungen
Beglaubigung in Österreich: Dokumentenform und Voraussetzungen

Bundesministerium für europäische und internationale Angelegenheiten · retrieved on 10/10/2026

Open original source
SourceApostille und elektronische Apostille
Apostille und elektronische Apostille

Bundesministerium für europäische und internationale Angelegenheiten · retrieved on 10/10/2026

Open original source

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