Documents legalization
In day-to-day business or personal life, people deal with legal papers, which will be requested by governmental authorities, banks and other public or private institutions in Cyprus. Depending on the category of documents, their intended usage and the country of issue, their legalisation process may vary.
Our professionals have extensive experience working with legal documents and can advise on their obtaining, legalisation, translation and interpretation.
APOSTILLE
The word “APOSTILLE” is derived from a French word meaning Certification.
In brief, an Apostille is the name for a Specialised Certificate, the Ministry of Justice and Public Order being the relevant competent authority in charge of the implementation of the Convention. An Apostille is attached to an original document to verify it is legitimate and authentic, it will be accepted in one of the other countries who are members of the Hague Apostille Convention.
The Republic of Cyprus has acceded to the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents, signed in the Hague on the 5th October 1961.
Documents that can be Apostilled which have been issued by an authority in Cyprus:
- Passport;
- Identity Card (ID);
- Birth Certificate;
- Marriage Certificate;
- Divorce Certificate;
- Death Certificate;
- Adoption Certificate;
- Clear Criminal Record.
An Apostilled stamp (Greek or English) in Cyprus, is a seal attached to the relevant document by an officer of the public system (Public Notary) or Lawyers that have the right to carry out Notary Duties, bearing the following information:
- Name of the country that issued the Apostille;
- Surname and signature of the person who signed the document;
- Position of the person who signed the document;
- Name of the Institution with the seal/stamp of which the Apostilled document is affixed;
- Name of the city;
- Date of affixing;
- Name of the authority;
- Apostille number;
- Seal/stamp of the Institution.
Legalisation of Documents
Legalisation of documents through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Cyprus Embassy may bear Diplomatic Ratification if other states have not ratified the Convention on abolishing the requirements of legalisation for Foreign Public Documents concluded in the Hague in 1961.
If the issuing country has an Accredited Diplomatic/Consular Authority of the Republic of Cyprus:
- Certification of the Document by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the issuing country;
- Certification of the signature of the officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the issuing country by an officer of the Diplomatic/Consular Authority of the Republic in the issuing country;
- Certification of the signature of the officer of the Diplomatic/Consular Authority of the Republic in the issuing country by the Department of Certifications of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic.
If there is no Accredited Diplomatic/Consular Authority of the Republic of Cyprus:
- Certification of the Document by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the issuing country;
- Certification of the signature of the officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the issuing country by an officer of the Diplomatic/Consular Authority of the issuing country in a third country;
- Certification of the signature of the officer of the issuing country’s Diplomatic/Consular Authority in the specific third country by an officer of the Diplomatic/Consular Authority of the Republic in that third country;
- Certification of the signature of the officer of the Diplomatic/Consular Authority in that third country by the Department of Certifications of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic.
All documents submitted with any application should be in Greek or English or accompanied by a Certified Translation by a Consular Authority of the issuing country or by a Government Department of the issuing country.
Rideo Group Lawyers are on hand to advise and support if you require any documentation to be Apostiiled. Our professionals are able to organise this swiftly, without having to search elsewhere.
Power of Attorney
Power of Attorney is a signed written document by a person giving another person the power to act in conducting the signer’s business, including:
- Signing papers;
- Cheques;
- Title documents;
- Contracts;
- Handling Bank Accounts etc.
It is recommended that the signer of the Power of Attorney completes this in front of a legal witness, Rideo Group professionals are happy to undertake this, together with drawing up the document.
Affidavit (Declaration)
Affidavit is a sworn statement (declaration) in writing made especially under oath or on affirmation before an authorised Magistrate or officer. The statement is witnessed and signed by a Notary Public or other law official authorised to do so. Once signed, the document is legally binding and the person signing is subject to being charged with perjury if the affidavit contains false information.
Document Certification
Other documentation/contracts not requiring complex Apostille certification can be undertaken by our legal team at Rideo Group. Please contact one of the team where we will be able to discuss your requirements and how we may be able to assist.
Certified Translations
As of the 1st July 2019 the system of translation of documents which was provided by the Press and Information Office was terminated, providing for the registration and regulation of the services of the Sworn Translators in Cyprus. All translators must be registered in the Register of Sworn Translators and operate in all major cities in Cyprus.
Sworn Translators translate documents intended for use inside or outside of the Republic into a number of languages and must be authentic/original documents such as:
- Educational;
- Marriage Certificates;
- Birth Certificates;
- Death Certificates;
- Criminal Records Certificates;
- Passports/ID Cards;
- Bank Accounts;
- Deeds of Ownership;
- Medical Reports;
- Legal Documents;
- Company Documents.
Rideo Group is able to assist in the translation of documents, please contact one of our dedicated professionals for an informal chat, to understand how we can support you by answering any questions you may have.