In brief
An apostille is a stamp that certifies the signature and seal on a document for the countries of the 1961 Hague Convention. All European countries are parties to the convention and accept a Russian apostille. Only the Russian authority responsible for the document can issue it: the civil registry office (ZAGS), the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD), the Ministry of Justice or the education authority. We arrange the apostille without you travelling — on documents you already have, or on new ones we obtain for you. The state fee is included in the price.
Who issues the apostille in Russia
| Document | Who issues the apostille |
|---|---|
| ZAGS certificates and records | the civil registry department of the region where the record is kept |
| Criminal record certificate | the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) |
| Notarial documents and copies, powers of attorney, translations | the Ministry of Justice (for the notary’s region) |
| Diplomas, school-leaving certificates | the education authority |
Timescales and prices
| Document | Timescale | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Registry office (ZAGS) of Moscow | up to 8 working days | €60 |
| ZAGS of the Moscow region | up to 8 working days | €80 |
| ZAGS of St Petersburg and the Leningrad region | 2–3 weeks | €70 |
| ZAGS of other Russian regions | up to 7 working days + document shipping | €100 |
| MVD criminal record certificate | 7–8 working days | €60 |
| Notarial documents from Moscow | up to 8 working days | €60 |
| Diplomas and school-leaving certificates from any region | from 45 calendar days | €95 |
The state fee for the apostille (2,500 roubles per document) is included in the price. Delivery of documents to us and back is charged at the courier’s rate.
When an apostille is not needed
- Russian ZAGS certificates in Spain — under the 1984 agreement.
- Serbia and Poland have legal assistance treaties with Russia, but authorities sometimes still ask for an apostille — check first.
In Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, the legal assistance treaties with Russia have ended — an apostille is now required.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get an apostille at the Russian consulate in my country?
No. Consulates do not issue apostilles. Russian documents can only be apostilled in Russia, by the authority responsible for the document.
Can a passport or an employment record book be apostilled?
Not the originals. For such documents, the apostille is placed on a notarised copy: a notary certifies the copy and the Ministry of Justice apostilles the notarisation.
My document was issued in Kazakhstan or Uzbekistan. Can it be apostilled in Russia?
Not the original: only the country that issued the document can apostille it. We will obtain a duplicate and the apostille in the issuing country.
Sources
- HCCH — Contracting Parties to the Apostille Convention — checked 22.10.2026
- Russian Tax Code, Article 333.33 — state fee for the apostille — 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