Pursuant to Ordinance No. 2020-192 of March 4, 2020, and Decree No. 2021-1205 of September 17, 2021, the authority for issuing apostilles and legalizations has been transferred to the notariat. These new procedures have been effective for apostilles since May 1, 2025, and will be effective for legalizations starting September 1, 2025.

 

Legalization is the procedure by which the following are certified:

• The authenticity of the signature.
• The capacity and identity in which the signatory of the document acted.
• If necessary, the identity of the seal or stamp mentioned on the document.

The apostille is a simplified version of a full legalization process, with similar goals. Apostille is open to the Member States of The Hague Convention on Apostille. 

Unless there is a contrary international agreement, any French public document intended for use abroad must be legalized. Apostilles and legalizations thus facilitate the international circulation of documents. In practice, legalization and apostille involve an official stamp added to the document. As part of its public service delegation, the notariat will henceforth issue apostilles and legalizations exclusively in electronic format.

 

• Apostilles: Since May 1, 2025, apostilles have been issued by French Notaries through 15 Regional Councils or Interdepartmental Chambers of Notaries, replacing the general prosecutors’ offices of the courts of appeal.
• Legalizations: Starting September 1, 2025, legalizations will also be issued by French Notaries, replacing the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs.
• The notariat will henceforth issue apostilles and legalizations exclusively in electronic format.

• Online via the dedicated platform.
• At the Apostille and Legalization Center of one of the 15 Regional Councils or Interdepartmental Chambers. 

Reference: Notaires de France

 

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