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By Ordinance No. 2020-192 of 4 March 2020 reforming the procedures for issuing legalisation and apostille, competence was conferred upon the notarial profession. The organisation of this new public service mission was defined by Decree No. 2021-1205 of 17 September 2021 relating to the apostille and legalisation of public documents issued by French authorities, and by an Order dated 23 December 2024. The implementation of these new procedures will take effect in 2025.
As from 1 May 2025, Notaries of France, through 15 Regional Councils or Interdepartmental Chambers of Notaries, will issue apostilles in place of the Public Prosecutors’ Offices of the 33 Courts of Appeal. As from 1 September 2025, Notaries of France, through the same bodies, will also issue legalisations, replacing the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
Legalisation of a public document
Legalisation is the formality by which the authenticity of the signature of the document’s author, the capacity in which the signatory acted, and, where applicable, the identity of the seal or stamp affixed to the document, are certified.
Unless otherwise provided by an international agreement, any French public document intended for use abroad must be legalised.
Apostille of a public document
An apostille is the formality required for the circulation abroad of certain French public documents (Hague Convention of 5 October 1961). Depending on its nature, the document may also require legalisation or be exempt from any formality.
Scope of legalisation and apostille
- They concern the authenticity of the signature, seal or stamp on the document and the seal of the issuing authority.
- They certify that the document has indeed been signed by a public authority.
- They do not concern the content of the document.
In summary, legalisation and apostille attest to the following:
- The authenticity of the signatureThe capacity and identity in which the signatory acted
- Where necessary, the identity of the seal or stamp on the document
- In practice, legalisation and apostille consist of an official stamp affixed to the document.
As part of its delegated public service mission, the notarial profession will issue apostilles and legalisations exclusively in electronic format.