In Georgia, apostilles are issued by the Ministry of Justice. Applications can be submitted at any branch of the House of Justice (სახლი).
Documents that can be apostilled
- Birth, marriage, divorce, and death certificates
- Diplomas, academic transcripts, and certificates
- Registry extracts and other documents issued by administrative bodies of Georgia
- Notarized copies and translations
- Court decisions and other official documents issued by Georgian state authorities
Procedure and timeframe
The time and cost of an apostille depend on the Public Service Development Agency fee you choose: GEL 30 on the 8th working day, GEL 60 on the 4th working day, GEL 120 on the 2nd working day and GEL 150 on the same day.
An apostille certifies the authenticity of the signature and seal of the official who issued the document. It does not certify the content of the document itself. If the receiving country requires a translation, a notarized translation must be arranged separately, either before or after apostillation.
For countries that have not joined the Hague Convention, the legalization requirement remains. It has two steps: the Public Service Development Agency certifies the document first, then the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia. After that, the document is additionally certified by the diplomatic or consular office of the destination country.
Apostille fees
| Term | State fee |
|---|---|
| 8th working day | GEL 30 |
| 4th working day | GEL 60 |
| 2nd working day | GEL 120 |
| same day | GEL 150 |
Documents of the Ministry of Education and Science have 8, 4 and 2 working day options. Applications are filed at territorial offices of the Public Service Development Agency and at Public Service Halls.
Documents that cannot be apostilled
Under the Public Service Development Agency list, apostille and legalization are not available for:
- documents issued by Georgian diplomatic and consular missions abroad
- documents of private law legal entities, except medical and educational institutions
- identity documents and their copies, except a copy of a Georgian citizen's passport certified by the issuing body
- military service record cards
- normative acts
So a company's charter or resolution, for example, is first certified by a notary, and the apostille goes on the notarial act. Documents issued abroad that you need in Georgia, for example for a residence permit or a marriage registration, are apostilled in the country that issued them.
What you need to provide
- The original document or a notarized copy
- Your passport (for identification)
- A power of attorney if a representative is submitting on your behalf
Frequently asked questions
Can I get an apostille in Georgia for a document issued in another country?
No. The Georgian apostille authority only certifies documents issued by Georgian state bodies or notaries. For a foreign document, the apostille must be obtained in the country where the document was issued.
Do I need a translation to get an apostille?
No translation is required for the apostillation procedure itself in Georgia. A translation may be required by the receiving organization or country.
Does an apostille expire?
The apostille itself has no expiry date, but the receiving organization may require that the underlying document was issued within a certain period. Always confirm requirements with the recipient.
What is consular legalization and when is it needed?
Legalization is used for countries that are not parties to the Hague Convention. The document is certified in turn by the Public Service Development Agency, the Consular Department of the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the consulate of the destination country. It takes longer than an apostille, so the timing is worth planning ahead.
Can you obtain the apostille without me being present?
Yes. A notarized power of attorney authorizing our representative is sufficient. We collect your documents, file the application, and return the apostilled document to you.
How much does an apostille cost in Georgia?
GEL 30 to 150 depending on the term: GEL 30 on the 8th working day, GEL 60 on the 4th, GEL 120 on the 2nd and GEL 150 on the same day. These are Public Service Development Agency fees for standard documents.
Can company documents be apostilled?
Not directly. Documents of private law legal entities, except medical and educational institutions, cannot be apostilled. A company document is first certified by a notary, and the apostille is placed on the notarial act. A Registry of Entrepreneurs extract, as a document of an administrative body, can be apostilled.