A document for life
Weddings, divorces, academic grades, the birth of a child and registering a company are examples of events that may require documents that have been specially certified - a sort of guarantee of authenticity - in order to confirm their existence.
The MFA Judicial Office, located at Malmtorgsgatan 3A, certifies 20 000 documents a year. Certifying a document costs SEK 160, and the processing time is two working days. Photo: Jacob Martinsson/MFA
One example could be an Iraqi refugee who plans to return to his or her native country. During the time spent in Sweden, he or she may have got married, had children or taken part in an academic programme. In order for these events to be acknowledged by the Iraqi authorities, documents are required that have been signed and stamped by Swedish authorities.
This certification, which is formally known as legalisation, is handled by the MFA Judicial Office, which is located at Malmtorgsgatan 3A.
In addition to a stamp from the MFA, legalisation also requires a signature from the representation of the country to which the document is to be sent.
There is also a simpler form of authenticity guarantee called an apostille. An apostille involves signature by a Notary Public, a service that is available throughout Sweden, but does not require further signature from a foreign representation. An apostille is valid in all countries that are party to the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents.
In other words, it is important to check the specific regulations that apply in the country for which the document is intended.
It is always the relevant embassy that determines which documents are to be legalised. Much of the Judicial Offices work involves providing Swedish and foreign citizens with advice as to the types of documents and legalisations that a specific country requires.
It is not only foreign citizens who may need guarantees of authenticity on their documents. Swedish citizens who want to work in a different country and Swedish companies that want to expand abroad may also need a legalisation certificate or an apostille on documents such as a doctor's certificate, or an extract from the criminal register or the Swedish Companies Registration Office.
Legalising a document costs SEK 160, and the processing time is two working days. The Judicial Office certifies some 20 000 documents a year, and that figure is constantly increasing.
In addition to legalising documents, the Judicial Office also provides certificates of non-impediment, which Swedish citizens need in order to be married by authorities in Thailand. In Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and the USA, special certificates for studies abroad may be required.
