Consular legalization

The consular legalization of the documents issued in foreign countries and intended for use in the Russian Federation is provided by the Russian consulates in these countries.

In accordance with international practice legalization of passports and equivalent documents, as well as documents that are directly related to commercial or customs operations (accounts, documents on the movement of goods across the border, an agreement on the supply of goods and services, various operations and calculations customs declarations, etc.) is not required.

Consular legalization.

This procedure is carried out in 2 stages:

• witnessing of documents by competent authorities of foreign affairs (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) of the country of issue of the document (depending on legislative requirements of the country of issue: generally the original, in some countries - copies) – the corresponding stamps with the indication of the position and the signature of the assuring person are put down;
• witnessing of documents by consular services of the Russian Federation (consulate or embassy of the Russian Federation) in the country of issue of the document– the corresponding stamps with the indication of the position and the signature of the assuring person are put down.

«Apostille» – a  simplified legalization procedure.

The “Apostille” stamp on the official document, proceeding from bodies and organizations of member countries of the Hague convention of 1961, which abolishes the requirement of consular legalization of foreign official documents:

• is put down on the original of the document or on a separate sheet, which is attached to the document and could be made in official language of the body which is giving it out;
• is put down by competent authorized bodies of the country of issue of the document (example, State Secretary, Department of Education, Ministry of Education, educational institutions and others).

Note:

Republic of Iraq is not a signatory to the Hague convention of 1961, which abolishes the requirement of consular legalization of foreign official documents. Consequently, official documents certified by Apostille, have no legal force in the Republic of Iraq and are not exempted from legalization procedure.

Legalization of Iraqi documents to be used in Russia

Iraqi documents, which are intended for use in the Russian Federation, should be legalized by the Russian Consular Section of the Russian Embassy in Baghdad, the Russian Consulate General in Erbil or the Russian Consulate General in Basra after passing the legalization procedure in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iraq.

Documents drawn up or properly certified by the consulates of foreign states in the Russian Federation are to be legalized by the Consular Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Legalization of Russian documents to be used in Iraq

Documents drawn up by the Russian authorities and intended for use in Iraq should be legalized with the following scheme:

1) The Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation certifies a document;

2) Consular Department of Russian Foreign Ministry confirms authenticity of the seal and signature of the Russian Justice Ministry official on the document;

3) The Consular Section of the Iraqi Embassy in Moscow legalizes the document (confirms authenticity of the seal and signature of the Russian Foreign Ministry).

The consular fee for legalization: 42 USD per one document.

Note:

Don’t confuse the legalization procedure with the Authentication of copies (legal witnessing of document copies). The legal witnessing of document copies and document translations in the Russian Federation according to the civil legislation is carried out by a notary or a consulate officer. Copies of translated documents should be attached and filed to the translations certified by a notary or a consulate officer.