Immigration Knowledge - Legalisation of Personal Paperwork
Detailed guide on the services provided and the procedures involved.
Certification of Signatures
Process:
- The consular officer certifies that the person signing the document is the same individual depicted on the attached copy of their passport or ID.
- It is important to note that the consular officer does not verify the content of the document.
Fees:
- The fee for each certification is determined based on the cost of living in the host country.
Certification of Document Authenticity
Process:
- The original document must be presented to the consular officer.
- The officer will then certify a photocopy as a true copy of the original document, adding a relevant stamp.
Handling Documents from Third Countries For Use in Cyprus
Documents from Hague Convention Countries:
- Public documents from countries that are state parties to the
Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign
Public Documents (Hague, 05 April 1961) need an Apostille
certification from the relevant authorities of that country.
Once Apostilled, these documents are recognized in Cyprus without further requirements from a Diplomatic Mission.
Documents from Non-Hague Convention Countries:
- Public documents must first be certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the originating country.
- Next, the documents need certification from the accredited Cypriot Diplomatic Mission in that country.
- Finally, the documents should be certified by the Certification Department of the Cypriot Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
For Use in Third Countries (Non-EU)
Documents for Hague Convention Countries:
- Public documents issued by Cypriot authorities intended for use in a third country that is a party to the Hague Convention should be certified by the Ministry of Justice and Public Order of Cyprus with an Apostille stamp.
- This Apostille stamp makes the document recognized by the foreign country's authorities, eliminating the need for further certification by Cypriot Diplomatic Missions.
Documents for Non-Hague Convention Countries:
- These documents should be certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus.
- Subsequently, the documents must be certified by the Cypriot Diplomatic Mission, which will verify the signature of the Foreign Ministry officer.
Important Notes
Apostille Certifications:
- Diplomatic Missions do not issue Apostille certifications. This responsibility lies with the Ministry of Justice and Public Order.
- Individuals needing an Apostille on a Cypriot document can submit it to Diplomatic Missions for forwarding to the competent authority in Cyprus. The fee for this service is €5.
Further Information:
- Detailed information regarding Apostille certifications is available on the Ministry of Justice and Public Order's website: Apostille Information
- A list of state parties to the Hague Convention can be found here: Hague Convention Status Table
Use of Public Documents Between EU Member States
Simplified Procedures Under EU Regulation 2016/1191
Objective:
- The regulation aims to reduce bureaucracy and costs for EU citizens needing to present public documents in another EU country.
- It applies to various public documents, such as certificates of birth, name, marriage, registered partnership, and absence of a criminal record.
Key Changes:
- Abolishes the requirement for Apostille certifications for certain public documents.
- Simplifies procedures for certified copies and translations.
- Allows EU citizens to request a multilingual form/certificate to avoid translation requirements.
More Information:
- For detailed information on EU Regulation 2016/1191, visit: EU Regulation 2016/1191
By understanding these processes and requirements, Cypriot citizens and residents can efficiently manage the certification of their documents for use both within Cyprus and abroad. For any further assistance, contact your nearest Cypriot Diplomatic Mission.
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CYAUSE Audit Services is an Audit & Assurance firm with offices in Cyprus and the UAE. During 2015 we have been awarded by I.C.P.A.C and the A.C.C.A (local and international association of Chartered Certified Accountants) for the Quality of our Audit Services and our Office's Procedures.
Being a Truly International Audit & Assurance firm, we have associates from all over the world and we are constantly looking for new associates to expand our network further. At present, CYAUSE Audit Services operates internationally through its membership with BKR International amongst the largest American associations in the world, Accace Circle, a co-created business community of like-minded BPO providers and advisors who deliver outstanding services with elevated customer experience. Our network covers almost 40 jurisdictions with over 2,000 professionals, it supports more than 10,000 customers, mostly mid-size and international Fortune 500 companies from various sectors, and processes at least 170,000 payslips globally.
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The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
