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Papers · Austria
Updated September 2026

📜 I need an apostille or legalisation on a document — where do I get it?

Direct answer

An apostille certifies a public document (birth certificate, diploma, court decision, notarised signature) for use in another country of the Hague convention; for the few non-Hague countries it is a legalisation via the foreign ministry and the embassy. In Austria the apostille comes from Landesgericht / Bundesministerium (Apostillen) (bmeia.gv.at) — often a court, a regional authority or the foreign ministry, depending on the document type. A private document (a power of attorney, a contract) first needs a notary — Österreichische Notariatskammer (notar.at) — and then the apostille. For documents from another country, or for use in a non-Hague country, BMEIA — Bürgerservice (01 90115 4411) explains the legalisation chain.

Call firstLandesgericht / Bundesministerium (Apostillen)
Report toÖsterreichische Notariatskammer
If that failsBMEIA — Bürgerservice

🗣️ What to say

"I need an apostille on [document, issued by … on …] for use in [country]. Which authority issues it for this document type, what does it cost, can I apply by post or online, and how long does it take?"

🪜 Step by step

  1. Which document, which countryPublic documents (civil status, court, diploma from a public body) go straight to the apostille authority. Private ones are notarised first.
  2. Get a recent originalMany countries require the document to be recent (months) and an original or certified copy — not a photocopy.
  3. Apply at Landesgericht / Bundesministerium (Apostillen)By post in most countries, online in a few. Fee per document; a few days to weeks.
  4. TranslationUsually after the apostille, by a sworn translator, and sometimes the translation needs its own apostille. Ask the receiving country.
  5. Non-Hague countryLegalisation: the issuing authority → foreign ministry → the destination country's embassy. BMEIA — Bürgerservice lists the steps.

📇 All contacts

Landesgericht / Bundesministerium (Apostillen)Apostille by document typeFor documents to be used abroad🔗 www.bmeia.gv.at/reise-services/beglaubigungen
Österreichische NotariatskammerNotaries for estates, certifications, powers of attorneyFor inheritance and certifications🔗 www.notar.at
BMEIA — BürgerserviceConsular help abroad, 24/7In an emergency abroad📞 01 90115 4411🔗 www.bmeia.gv.at/buergerservice
Meldeamt der Gemeinde / MagistratRegistration, registration certificateWithin 3 days of moving in🔗 www.oesterreich.gv.at/themen/dokumente_und_recht/an__ab__und_ummeldung.html

❓ Frequently asked

Do EU documents need an apostille inside the EU?

Not for most civil-status documents since 2019 — a multilingual standard form replaces it. Diplomas and court documents may still need one; ask the receiving authority.

Can I get an apostille abroad for a document from Austria?

No — apostilles are issued only by the country that issued the document. Ask a relative or a service to apply by post, or use the online route where it exists.

The receiving country wants "legalisation" for a Hague country

Then they are asking for the apostille; the words are used loosely. Confirm which convention applies.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

  • “apostille Austria where”
  • “apostille birth certificate how”
  • “legalisation document embassy”
  • “apostille diploma Austria”
  • “sworn translation apostille”

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Related questions

🎓Diploma recognition→🏳️Citizenship→🔢National ID number→⏳Residence permit delay→

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