Apostille on Translation vs Apostille on Original: What's the Difference

You’ve got a Ukrainian diploma, a birth certificate, maybe a marriage certificate. You need them abroad - say, for a residence permit in Italy or a job in France. Someone tells you: “Get an apostille.” Fine. You go to the Ministry of Justice, pay 670 UAH, get the stamp. Done, right?

Then the Italian consulate tells you: “We also need an apostille on the translation.” Wait - another apostille? On the translation? Isn’t the apostille already on the document?

This is where most people get confused. And it’s not their fault. The difference between an apostille on the original and an apostille on the translation is something even lawyers sometimes explain poorly. Let’s break it down so you never have to guess again.

What’s an apostille on the original vs an apostille on the translation¶

These are two completely different procedures that serve different purposes. Let’s start with the basics.

Apostille on the original document¶

This is the “standard” apostille most people think of. It’s a stamp or a separate sheet attached to your original document - diploma, birth certificate, marriage certificate, criminal record clearance, etc.

What it confirms: the signature on the document is genuine, the person who signed it had the authority to sign, and the seal is authentic. In other words, it tells a foreign government: “Yes, this Ukrainian document is real. We’ve verified it.”

This apostille is issued by the relevant Ukrainian ministry - the Ministry of Justice for civil status documents and notarized papers, the Ministry of Education and Science for diplomas, or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for other categories. You can read more about which ministry handles which document.

The Hague Convention of 1961 created this system so countries wouldn’t have to go through lengthy diplomatic verification every time someone presented a foreign document. Over 120 countries recognize apostilles today.

Apostille on the translation¶

This is where it gets interesting. An apostille on the translation doesn’t confirm the translation itself is correct. It doesn’t mean someone checked whether your diploma was translated accurately.

Here’s what actually happens:

1. Your document gets translated into the required language.
2. A Ukrainian notary certifies the translator’s signature - essentially saying “I confirm this translator is who they say they are and they signed this translation.”
3. The notarized translation then goes to the Ministry of Justice, where an apostille is placed on it.

That second apostille confirms the notary’s authority. It tells the foreign institution: “The notary who certified this translator’s signature is a real, authorized notary in Ukraine.”

Think of it this way: the first apostille says “the document is real.” The second apostille says “the notary who certified the translation is real.”

“A double apostille is a procedure where the apostille is placed twice: first on the original document or its notarized copy, and then on the notarized translation of that document.” - LegalAb

When people say “double apostille,” this is what they mean - two apostilles on two different things related to the same document.

Why does the distinction matter?¶

Because different countries have different requirements. Some only need the apostille on the original. Others demand both. Submit the wrong setup and your application gets rejected, which can delay your immigration case by weeks or months.

The correct order of steps matters too. You can’t get an apostille on a translation if the translation hasn’t been notarized first. And you can’t notarize a translation of a document that should have been apostilled first. The sequence is critical.

When a single apostille (on the original) is enough¶

Good news: many popular destination countries only require one apostille - on the original document. The translation happens in the destination country, done by a locally authorized translator whose signature already carries legal weight there.

Germany¶

Germany is probably the most common destination for Ukrainians right now. And German authorities don’t need a Ukrainian apostille on the translation. Here’s why: Germany has its own system of sworn translators (beeidigte Übersetzer) who are court-appointed and personally liable for translation accuracy.

When a German sworn translator translates your apostilled Ukrainian document, their stamp and signature are already recognized by all German institutions - courts, Ausländerbehörde, universities, Standesamt. No additional apostille needed.

So for Germany: apostille on the original in Ukraine, then get a sworn translation in Germany. That’s it.

Poland¶

Same logic. Poland has its own sworn translators (tłumacz przysięgły) who are registered with the Ministry of Justice. Their translations carry full legal force domestically. You just need the apostille on the original Ukrainian document.

Czech Republic¶

The Czech Republic also accepts an apostilled original + a local sworn translation. Czech sworn translators (soudní tlumočník) are appointed by regional courts and their stamp is sufficient.

United States¶

The US has a different but equally straightforward approach. USCIS requires an apostille on the original and a certified translation. “Certified” in the US context means the translator (or translation company) signs a statement saying the translation is complete and accurate to the best of their knowledge. No notarization of the translation, no apostille on the translation.

Canada¶

IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) follows a similar approach. Apostille on the original, certified translation by a member of a professional translators’ association or a sworn statement of competence. No double apostille.

The pattern¶

Countries that have strong domestic systems for verifying translators don’t need Ukraine to verify the translation too. They trust their own translators. All they need from Ukraine is confirmation that the original document is genuine - that’s what the single apostille does.

This covers Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, USA, Canada, Australia, and several others. If you’re heading to one of these countries, you save time, money, and paperwork.

When you need apostilles on both the original AND the translation (double apostille)¶

Now here’s where it gets more complicated. A significant number of countries - especially in Southern and Western Europe - require both apostilles. This is the “double apostille” procedure.

Why? These countries either don’t have a domestic sworn translator system as strong as Germany’s, or their legal traditions require international-level verification of the translation certification process.

“The apostille stamp is placed on the original document; the document is translated into the required language and notarized; the notarized copy with translation is submitted to the Ministry of Justice for the second apostille.” - LegalKey

Countries that require a double apostille¶

Here’s the list of the most common destinations that require both apostilles:

• Italy - one of the strictest. Italian authorities (Prefettura, Comune, Tribunale) consistently require a double apostille on documents presented with translations. If you’re doing asseverazione in Italy, understand that the Italian sworn translation procedure is separate from the Ukrainian apostille procedure. You may still need the double apostille from Ukraine before doing asseverazione locally.

• France - French authorities require both apostilles. If you’re working with a traducteur assermenté (sworn translator) in France, check with your specific prefecture - some accept a single apostille + French sworn translation, but many require the double apostille as well.

• Spain - Spanish institutions typically require both. If your documents go through traducción jurada, the double apostille from Ukraine may still be requested depending on the registry office.

• Belgium - consistently requires double apostille for foreign documents with translations.

• Austria - despite being German-speaking, Austria’s requirements differ from Germany’s. Many Austrian institutions ask for a double apostille.

• Portugal - requires double apostille for Ukrainian documents.

• Netherlands - while some municipalities accept a single apostille + Dutch sworn translation, many require the double apostille procedure.

• Switzerland - depends on the canton, but the safe bet is double apostille.

• Turkey - requires double apostille for documents from Hague Convention countries.

• United Kingdom - it depends. Post-Brexit, the UK’s position has shifted. Some institutions accept a single apostille with a certified English translation. Others, especially courts and the Home Office in complex cases, may request both. When in doubt, get both.

The step-by-step process for a double apostille¶

Here’s exactly what happens, in order:

Step 1. Get the apostille on your original document. Go to the relevant ministry (Ministry of Justice for civil status documents, Ministry of Education for diplomas). Pay 670 UAH. Wait 5-7 business days (standard) or pay extra for expedited processing.

Step 2. Get the apostilled document translated. A qualified translator translates the document including the apostille sheet into the required language.

Step 3. Get the translation notarized. A Ukrainian notary certifies the translator’s signature. The notary doesn’t check the translation quality - they only confirm the translator’s identity and their signature.

Step 4. Get the apostille on the notarized translation. Take the notarized translation back to the Ministry of Justice. Pay another 670 UAH. Wait another 5-7 business days.

Step 5. You now have two documents: your original with apostille #1, and your notarized translation with apostille #2. Both go to the foreign institution together.

“The core legal purpose of the double apostille is that the notary’s signature and seal, which certified the translator’s signature, allows foreign institutions to verify the translator’s qualifications at an international level.” - Antei

The whole process takes 2-4 weeks if you’re doing standard processing. Expedited can bring it down to about a week, but costs more.

One important note: the order matters. You must apostille the original first, then translate, then notarize the translation, then apostille the translation. If you translate before apostilling the original, the translation won’t include the apostille - and you’ll have to redo it.

Country-by-country comparison table¶

Here’s a quick reference. Keep in mind that requirements can vary by institution within a country, so always confirm with the specific office where you’re submitting documents.

Country	Apostille on original	Double apostille needed?	Who translates	Notes
Germany	Yes	No	Sworn translator in Germany	Beeidigte Übersetzung required
Poland	Yes	No	Sworn translator in Poland	tłumacz przysięgły
Czech Republic	Yes	No	Sworn translator locally	soudní tlumočník
USA	Yes	No	Certified translator	Translator’s signed statement of accuracy
Canada	Yes	No	Certified translator	ATIO members or sworn statement
Australia	Yes	No	NAATI-certified translator	Must be NAATI-accredited
Italy	Yes	Yes	Translator + notary in Ukraine, or asseverazione in Italy	Strictest requirements
France	Yes	Usually yes	Translator + notary in Ukraine	Check with specific prefecture
Spain	Yes	Yes	Translator + notary in Ukraine	traducción jurada may also apply
Belgium	Yes	Yes	Translator + notary in Ukraine	Consistent requirement
Austria	Yes	Often yes	Translator + notary in Ukraine	Differs from Germany
Portugal	Yes	Yes	Translator + notary in Ukraine	Standard double apostille
Netherlands	Yes	Often yes	Depends on municipality	Some accept local sworn translation
Switzerland	Yes	Often yes	Depends on canton	Safer to get double
Turkey	Yes	Yes	Translator + notary in Ukraine	Required for Hague Convention docs
UK	Yes	Sometimes	Certified translator in the UK	Post-Brexit rules vary

For countries not on the Hague Convention list at all, you’ll need consular legalization instead of an apostille - that’s a different process entirely.

Costs and timelines: single vs double apostille¶

Let’s talk numbers. Everything below is based on 2026 prices in Ukraine.

Single apostille (on the original only)¶

Item	Cost	Timeline
Apostille fee	670 UAH (~16 EUR)	5-7 business days
Expedited apostille	670 UAH + surcharge	1-3 business days
Translation in destination country	Varies by country	Same day to 3 days

Total for a single document going to Germany: roughly 670 UAH for the apostille + 25-50 EUR for a sworn translation in Germany. That’s it.

If you’re getting the e-apostille through Diia, the fee is the same but you skip the physical trip to the ministry.

Double apostille (on original + translation)¶

Item	Cost	Timeline
Apostille on original	670 UAH (~16 EUR)	5-7 business days
Translation	300-800 UAH per page	1-3 days
Notarization of translation	200-500 UAH	Same day
Apostille on notarized translation	670 UAH (~16 EUR)	5-7 business days

Total for a single document going to Italy: roughly 1,840-2,640 UAH (about 44-63 EUR) and 2-3 weeks of processing time.

Multiple documents add up fast¶

Here’s a real-world example. Say you’re applying for a residence permit in Italy and need to apostille:

• Birth certificate: double apostille = ~1,840 UAH
• Marriage certificate: double apostille = ~1,840 UAH
• Diploma + supplement (2 documents): double apostille = ~3,680 UAH
• Criminal record clearance: double apostille = ~1,840 UAH

That’s roughly 9,200 UAH (~220 EUR) just for apostilles and translations. Plus notarization fees, travel to the ministry or notary, and your time.

For Germany, the same package would cost about 2,680 UAH (4 x 670 UAH for apostilles) plus sworn translation costs in Germany.

The difference is significant, especially if you’re on a tight budget. This is worth knowing before you choose which country to apply to, or at least so you can budget properly.

Soviet-era documents: a special case¶

If your documents were issued before 2003 or during the Soviet era, there’s an extra wrinkle. Soviet-era documents often require additional verification steps before they can be apostilled - the issuing institution may no longer exist, signatures may not be in the registry, etc. This adds time and sometimes cost.

Also worth knowing: some documents can’t be apostilled at all - passports, military records, employment record books. If you need those abroad, you’ll need notarized copies instead.

Common mistakes people make with apostilles on translations¶

After years of watching people go through this process, here are the most frequent errors. Some of them are expensive.

Mistake 1: Getting the translation before the apostille on the original¶

This is the number one mistake. You get your diploma translated, then try to get an apostille on the original. The problem? The translation doesn’t include the apostille (because it didn’t exist yet). Now your apostilled original doesn’t match the translation. For countries requiring a double apostille, this means redoing the translation from scratch.

Always apostille the original first, then translate.

Mistake 2: Thinking “apostille on translation” means someone checks the translation¶

Nope. The apostille on the notarized translation only confirms the notary’s authority. Nobody at the Ministry of Justice reads your translation or checks whether “свідоцтво про народження” was correctly translated as “birth certificate.” The accuracy of the translation is entirely on the translator.

This is why choosing a qualified translator matters, even though the apostille process doesn’t verify their work.

Mistake 3: Getting a double apostille when you only need one¶

If you’re going to Germany and someone tells you to get a double apostille - you’re overpaying and wasting time. Germany doesn’t need it. A single apostille on the original + a sworn translation done in Germany is sufficient.

Always check your destination country’s specific requirements before starting the process.

Mistake 4: Not getting a double apostille when you need one¶

The reverse is equally painful. You arrive in Italy with a single apostille and a translation you got in Ukraine without notarization and without a second apostille. The Italian authorities reject it. Now you have to somehow get the second apostille done from abroad - which usually means mailing documents back to Ukraine or asking someone there to do it for you.

Mistake 5: Confusing notarization with apostille¶

A notarized translation and an apostilled translation are not the same thing. Notarization means a notary certified the translator’s signature. An apostille on the translation is an additional step - it’s the Ministry of Justice confirming the notary’s authority.

Many people stop at notarization, thinking it’s enough. For countries requiring a double apostille, it’s not.

Mistake 6: Assuming all EU countries have the same requirements¶

They don’t. Germany needs one apostille. Italy needs two. Austria often needs two even though it borders Germany and speaks the same language. Each country sets its own rules for accepting foreign documents. Don’t assume.

Mistake 7: Getting the translation done abroad and expecting to apostille it in Ukraine¶

You can’t get a Ukrainian apostille on a translation done by a foreign translator and notarized by a foreign notary. The apostille on the translation must come from the same country where the notarization happened. So if a Ukrainian notary certified the translation - the Ukrainian Ministry of Justice apostilles it. If a French notary did it - you’d need a French apostille (if applicable).

If you did your translation abroad and your destination country needs a double apostille, you’ll likely need to redo the translation in Ukraine, have it notarized by a Ukrainian notary, and then apostille it through the Ministry of Justice.

Mistake 8: Forgetting that each document needs its own apostille(s)¶

A diploma and its supplement are two separate documents. Each one needs its own apostille. If you need double apostilles, each one needs two. People sometimes assume one apostille covers “the diploma package.” It doesn’t.

Read more about how to prepare your documents for translation to avoid these kinds of issues from the start.

How to figure out what your specific country needs¶

If you’re not sure whether you need a single or double apostille, here’s a practical approach:

Step 1. Check with the specific institution where you’re submitting documents. A university in Spain might have different requirements than a Spanish civil registry office. The institution’s requirements trump general advice.

Step 2. Check your country’s embassy or consulate website. They often publish document requirements for visa and immigration applications.

Step 3. Look at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine for guidance on legalization procedures.

Step 4. When in doubt, get the double apostille. It’s more expensive and takes longer, but no country will reject a document for having an “extra” apostille. An apostilled translation is still valid in countries that don’t require it. The reverse isn’t true.

Step 5. Ask a lawyer or relocation consultant in the destination country. They deal with foreign documents daily and know exactly what their local institutions accept.

One more thing: some people try to do their own translations to save money. That can work in some countries, but in many cases it won’t be accepted. Check the self-translation rules by country before going that route.

FAQ¶

Do I need an apostille on my translation for Germany?¶

No. Germany only requires an apostille on the original document. The translation should be done by a sworn translator (beeidigte/r Übersetzer/in) in Germany. Their court-appointed status gives the translation full legal force without needing a separate apostille. This is one of the things that makes the German process simpler and cheaper compared to many other EU countries.

How much does a double apostille cost in Ukraine in 2026?¶

The government fee for each apostille is 670 UAH (about 16 EUR). Since a double apostille means two apostille stamps - one on the original and one on the notarized translation - the apostille fees alone total 1,340 UAH (~32 EUR) per document. On top of that, add translation costs (300-800 UAH per page depending on language and complexity) and notarization (200-500 UAH). For a single document, the total typically runs 1,840-2,640 UAH (44-63 EUR). Multiply by the number of documents you need processed.

Can I get an apostille on a translation done abroad?¶

No, not from Ukraine. The Ukrainian Ministry of Justice can only apostille translations that were notarized by a Ukrainian notary. If your translation was done and notarized in another country, the apostille would need to come from that country’s authority (if they’re part of the Hague Convention). In practice, if you need a double apostille for a Ukrainian document, the safest approach is to have the translation and notarization done in Ukraine before the second apostille. If you’ve already left Ukraine, you’ll need to arrange this remotely or through a representative.

What’s the difference between an apostille on a notarized translation and an apostille on the original document?¶

The apostille on the original confirms that the document itself (diploma, birth certificate, etc.) is authentic - real signature, real seal, authorized signer. The apostille on the notarized translation confirms something different: that the notary who certified the translator’s signature is a legitimate, authorized notary. It does not verify the translation’s accuracy. These two apostilles serve different legal purposes and are issued in separate procedures, often weeks apart.

Does Italy require a double apostille for Ukrainian documents?¶

Yes. Italy is one of the countries that consistently requires a double apostille - one on the original Ukrainian document and one on the notarized translation. Italian institutions (Prefettura, Comune, Tribunale) are strict about this. If you’re planning to submit Ukrainian documents in Italy, budget for both apostilles per document. Some people also do asseverazione (sworn declaration before an Italian court) for translations done in Italy, but this is a separate Italian procedure and doesn’t replace the need for the Ukrainian double apostille on documents translated in Ukraine.

How long does the double apostille process take in Ukraine?¶

Typically 2-4 weeks for the full procedure. Here’s the breakdown: apostille on the original takes 5-7 business days, translation takes 1-3 days, notarization is same-day, and the second apostille on the notarized translation takes another 5-7 business days. Expedited processing is available for an additional fee and can cut each apostille step to 1-3 business days. The e-apostille through Diia can speed things up for certain document types. Plan for at least 3 weeks if you’re doing standard processing for multiple documents.

Do all EU countries require a double apostille?¶

No. EU countries don’t have a unified policy on this. Germany, Poland, and Czech Republic only need an apostille on the original - the translation is done locally by a sworn translator. Italy, France, Spain, Belgium, and Portugal typically require a double apostille. Austria and the Netherlands fall somewhere in between - many institutions require it, but some accept a single apostille with a local sworn translation. Always check with the specific institution where you’re submitting your documents, because requirements can differ even within the same country.