UAH 670 per stamp - that’s how much an apostille costs in Ukraine since January 1, 2026. Back in April 2025, the price was UAH 51, meaning it jumped more than 12x in a single year. If you’re preparing a package of 3-5 documents for submission abroad, apostille fees alone will run you UAH 2,000-3,500 - before translation, courier, or intermediary costs. Let’s break down every number, timeline, and way to avoid overpaying.
Official Apostille Cost in 2026¶
The apostille fee is tied to the subsistence minimum for able-bodied persons, set by law on January 1 of the current year. For 2026, that’s UAH 3,328.
| Who’s applying | Formula | Cost 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | 0.2 x UAH 3,328 | UAH 670 (~EUR 16) |
| Legal entity | 0.35 x UAH 3,328 | UAH 1,160 (~EUR 27) |
This fee is charged per document. Diploma - UAH 670. Diploma supplement - another UAH 670. Birth certificate - another UAH 670. Multiply the number of documents by 670 and you’ve got your budget.
The rate is the same across all apostille-issuing authorities - the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Education and Science (MES), and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). The only difference is which body handles which document type.
As reported by the Notarial Blog:
The apostille fee from 2026 has increased to UAH 670 for individuals and UAH 1,160 for legal entities. The fee is calculated based on the subsistence minimum for able-bodied persons, set by law on January 1 of the current year.
This means the price will automatically increase every year alongside the subsistence minimum. Next bump - January 1, 2027.
Price History: From UAH 51 to UAH 670 in Two Years¶
The fee stayed unchanged for 22 years. Then it changed twice in 8 months.
| Period | Individuals | Legal entities |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 - April 2025 | UAH 51 | UAH 85 |
| From May 3, 2025 | UAH 610 | UAH 1,060 |
| From January 1, 2026 | UAH 670 | UAH 1,160 |
As reported by “Nova Ukrainska Shkola”:
From May 3, 2025, the state service for apostille issuance increased 12x: for individuals - from UAH 51 to UAH 610, for legal entities - from UAH 85 to UAH 1,060. This was the first fee increase in 20 years.
The reason for the jump - a formula change. Previously, the fee was tied to the non-taxable minimum income (UAH 17 x 3 = UAH 51). Now it’s tied to the subsistence minimum - a figure that grows every year.
According to the Judicial-Legal Gazette, over 377,000 apostilles were issued in Ukraine in 2025. At the UAH 670 rate, that’s more than UAH 250 million per year.
Budget Calculator: How Much Will Your Document Package Cost¶
Count each document separately - there are no bulk discounts.
Working in Germany (Blue Card)¶
| Document | Apostille cost |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s/Master’s diploma | UAH 670 |
| Diploma supplement | UAH 670 |
| Total | UAH 1,340 (~EUR 32) |
University Admission Abroad¶
| Document | Apostille cost |
|---|---|
| Secondary school certificate | UAH 670 |
| Certificate supplement | UAH 670 |
| Bachelor’s diploma | UAH 670 |
| Diploma supplement | UAH 670 |
| Total | UAH 2,680 (~EUR 64) |
Family Reunification in Germany¶
| Document | Apostille cost |
|---|---|
| Birth certificate | UAH 670 |
| Marriage certificate | UAH 670 |
| Police clearance certificate | UAH 670 |
| Total | UAH 2,010 (~EUR 48) |
Einbürgerung (German Citizenship)¶
| Document | Apostille cost |
|---|---|
| Birth certificate | UAH 670 |
| Marriage certificate | UAH 670 |
| Police clearance certificate | UAH 670 |
| Diploma | UAH 670 |
| Diploma supplement | UAH 670 |
| Total | UAH 3,350 (~EUR 80) |
Marriage Registration at Standesamt¶
| Document | Apostille cost |
|---|---|
| Birth certificate | UAH 670 |
| Certificate of marital status | UAH 670 |
| Police clearance certificate | UAH 670 |
| Total | UAH 2,010 (~EUR 48) |
That’s apostille only. Add translation costs (from UAH 200 per page in Ukraine or from EUR 30 per page for sworn translation in Germany) - and the total legalization budget climbs fast.
Tip: check whether each document actually requires an apostille. Some procedures don’t require one at all.
Timelines: How Long You’ll Wait¶
The timeline depends on the issuing authority and document type. All timelines are in business days - excluding weekends and holidays.
Ministry of Justice - Up to 3 Business Days¶
Since February 2026, the Ministry of Justice shortened the official timeline from 5 to 3 business days. Civil registry certificates (birth, marriage, divorce), police clearance certificates, notarized documents - all go through the Ministry of Justice.
In practice, simple documents (certificates, clearances) often process in 1-2 days. But if additional verification of a signature or seal is needed, they may use all 3 days, and in rare cases extend to 20 business days.
You can submit through regional justice departments in any oblast center - no need to travel to Kyiv. Since March 2026, submissions are also accepted through private notaries.
Ministry of Education (MES) - 2 to 30 Business Days¶
| Document type | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Diploma issued after 2000 | 2-10 business days |
| Soviet-era diploma (before 2003) | 20-30 business days |
| Recent school certificate | 2-10 business days |
| Documents from reorganized institutions | up to 30 business days |
For older documents, MES runs additional verification - checking whether the educational institution actually issued the document. If the institution was reorganized or closed, this takes time.
MES accepts documents by mail (Nova Poshta) from any city, but add 3-7 days for shipping each way.
Other Authorities¶
| Authority | Documents | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| MFA | Documents from other ministries | up to 5 business days |
| State Migration Service | Migration service documents | up to 10 business days |
| State Tax Service | Tax service documents | up to 20 business days |
| State Archival Service | Archival certificates | depends on the specific archive |
When Timelines Get Longer¶
Three situations where you should build in extra buffer:
- June-August - peak season due to mass university admissions abroad
- December-January - year-end backlog and tariff changes
- Non-standard documents - damage, unclear seal, changed surname, institution that didn’t submit data to the registry
Rule of thumb: add at least 2 weeks of buffer on top of the official timeline. If submitting by mail or during peak season - 3 weeks.
Hidden Costs: What People Forget¶
The UAH 670 government fee is just the beginning. Here’s the full picture.
Intermediaries¶
If you’re abroad or don’t have time - there are companies that handle apostille “turnkey”. Their service fee: UAH 500-1,500 per document on top of the government fee. One document through an intermediary costs UAH 1,170-2,170.
The alternative - a trusted representative in Ukraine (relative, friend, lawyer). You’ll need a notarized power of attorney with clearly stated authorization to submit documents for apostille.
Courier Delivery¶
If you’re sending documents to MES or a justice department by mail:
| Route | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Within Ukraine (Nova Poshta) | UAH 100-300 one way | 1-3 days |
| From abroad (NovaPoshta Global, DHL) | UAH 500-1,500 one way | 3-7 days |
Don’t forget to multiply by two - documents need to go there and back.
True Cost of One Document¶
Here’s what the real budget looks like for one document if you’re in Germany and working through an intermediary:
| Expense | Amount |
|---|---|
| Government fee | UAH 670 |
| Intermediary service | UAH 500-1,500 |
| Courier (round trip from Germany) | UAH 1,000-3,000 |
| Total per document | UAH 2,170-5,170 (~EUR 52-123) |
For a package of 5 documents (e.g., for Einbürgerung), the total can reach UAH 10,000-25,000 for apostille alone. That’s why it’s so important to verify whether each document actually needs one.
E-Apostille - Free Bonus¶
Since March 2026, every paper apostille automatically gets a digital copy. As reported by the European External Action Service:
EU supports the launch of the electronic apostille in Ukraine as a step towards digitalization of public services.
The e-apostille is a file in ASiC-E format with a qualified electronic signature. You can download it for free from the Ministry of Justice website. Each apostille contains a QR code for instant verification - a foreign authority scans it and sees the digital copy from the state registry.
Some countries already accept e-apostilles without the paper original, but check with the specific institution before submitting.
How to Save on Apostille Costs¶
Check Whether You Need an Apostille at All¶
Not everything needs an apostille. These documents can’t be apostilled: passports, ID cards, military service records, driver’s licenses, employment record books. If someone tells you they need an apostille - they’re wrong.
For some procedures, a certified translation without an apostille is enough. For apartment rentals, opening a bank account, or registering your address in Germany, an apostille usually isn’t required.
Ask the End Recipient¶
Before spending money, call the organization where you’re submitting documents. Ask directly: “Do I need an apostille on this document?”. You’ll often find that a notarized copy with translation is sufficient.
Get the Order Right¶
Apostille first, then translation - that’s the standard sequence. If you do it backwards, the translation will need to be redone, and you’ll pay twice.
Apostille on Original vs Translation¶
These are different things. In most cases, an apostille on the original document alone is sufficient. A double apostille (on both original and translation) is rarely needed - don’t pay for it until you’re sure it’s required.
Bilateral Agreements¶
Some countries have bilateral legal assistance agreements that eliminate the apostille requirement. And for countries outside the Hague Convention, consular legalization is needed instead of an apostille - that’s a different procedure with a different price tag.
FAQ¶
How much does an apostille on a diploma cost in 2026?¶
UAH 670 for an individual. The diploma and diploma supplement are two separate documents, so apostilling both costs UAH 1,340 (~EUR 32).
Are there discounts for apostilling multiple documents at once?¶
No. Each document is charged separately, with no bulk discounts. 5 documents = 5 x 670 = UAH 3,350 (~EUR 80).
How many days does it take to get an apostille from MES?¶
For diplomas issued after 2000 - 2 to 10 business days. For Soviet-era or older documents - 20 to 30 business days due to additional verification.
Can I pay for the apostille online?¶
You can pay the government fee through online banking or at a bank branch. Document submission currently requires either an in-person visit or mailing. Submission through the Diia portal is under development.
Is an old apostille still valid after the price increase?¶
Yes. All previously issued apostilles remain valid regardless of tariff changes. Nothing needs to be redone.
How long does an apostille remain valid?¶
The apostille itself has no expiration date - it’s valid as long as the document it’s placed on. However, some foreign institutions require the apostilled document to be no older than 3-6 months. This mainly applies to police clearance certificates and certificates of marital status.
Do I still need an apostille if my document was already translated by a sworn translator?¶
Yes, these are separate procedures. The apostille confirms the document’s authenticity, while the translation makes it understandable to foreign authorities. In most cases, you need both. See our step-by-step guide for the full process.
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