In brief
For the municipality (gemeente), the IND and marriage, Russian documents need an apostille and a translation into Dutch, English, French or German by a sworn translator. There are two routes: a translation by a sworn translator in the Netherlands (beëdigd vertaler), in which case only the original needs an apostille; or a translation made in Russia, in which case both the original and the translation are apostilled. Apostilled birth and marriage certificates remain valid indefinitely.
Which Russian documents are most often needed in the Netherlands
- Birth, marriage and divorce certificates — for BRP registration, marriage and naturalisation.
- Certificate of no marriage record — to get married in the Netherlands.
- Diplomas — for recognition of qualifications and work.
Apostille
Russian documents for the Netherlands are apostilled in Russia: by the civil registry office (ZAGS) for certificates, the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) for a criminal record certificate, the education authority for diplomas. Documents issued by a Russian embassy or consulate do not need to be legalised — as NetherlandsWorldwide states.
Translation: two routes
| Route | What you need |
|---|---|
| Translation in the Netherlands | apostille on the original in Russia → translation by a beëdigd vertaler; the translation does not need an apostille |
| Translation in Russia | translation with notarisation → apostille on both the original and the translation |
Documents are translated into Dutch, English, French or German. We work with both routes. Translation from Russian into Dutch: €10 per translation page (1,800 characters); certification by a sworn translator or a notary is quoted for your specific document.
Prices
- Criminal record certificate with apostille: from €115 — turnaround times and prices.
- Duplicate ZAGS certificate: from €65; apostille from the Moscow ZAGS: €60.
- Apostille on a notarised translation (Moscow): €60.
The state fee for the apostille is included in the price. Delivery to the Netherlands is charged at the courier’s rate. Euro prices are based on the Bank of Russia exchange rate on 22.10.2026.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more convenient — a translation in the Netherlands or in Russia?
A translation by a sworn translator in the Netherlands does not need a second apostille, so it is usually simpler. A translation made in Russia with an apostille on the translation is also accepted, as NetherlandsWorldwide states. We will cost both options and suggest the one that suits you better.
Do I need a criminal record certificate for a residence permit in the Netherlands?
According to the European Migration Network, no: residence permit applications rely on checks and a declaration by the applicant. A certificate may be needed for other procedures — check with the authority you are submitting documents to.
How long is an apostilled birth certificate valid?
According to NetherlandsWorldwide, apostilled birth and marriage certificates remain valid indefinitely. The validity of other documents is set by the authority that requests them.
Sources
- NetherlandsWorldwide — Legalisation of documents from the Russian Federation — checked 22.10.2026
- e-Justice — Public documents: Netherlands (sworn translators, Wbtv register) — checked 22.10.2026
- EMN Ad-Hoc Query 2025.68 — Criminal record certificates (January 2026) — checked 22.10.2026
This is general information, not legal advice. Requirements may differ between authorities: please confirm them before you submit your documents. Legal notice