Smart migration | Consular Legalization in Kazakhstan

The procedure for confirming the authenticity of official documents issued in one country in order to use them legally in another country.

Consular Legalization in Kazakhstan

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If you are going to come to Kazakhstan for employment, study, or, conversely, go abroad for temporary or permanent residence, you may need to undergo the procedure of consular legalization. This is an international form of authentication of documents, an analogue of notarization, which allows them to be recognized as valid outside the issuing country.

Within the country, official documents are recognized without additional confirmation of their authenticity. However, when using a document abroad, proof of its origin may be required. This is due to the fact that the receiving party, as a rule, does not know either the person who signed the document, nor his position, nor the government agency that put the seal or stamp.

For this reason, many countries have introduced a requirement to confirm the authenticity of a foreign document through an authorized official who is familiar with the specifics of the document and who can certify its origin. This is how the consular legalization procedure appeared.

How long does the consular legalization procedure take?

Legalization is a sequential procedure for verifying the authenticity of a document at two levels: first in the state where it was issued, then in the country where it will be used.

There are two options for legalization:
• Two—stage - confirmation of the document in the issuing country and then in the destination country.
• Three—stage - an additional level is added — most often the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or another central agency.

The timing depends on the specifics of the document, the country in which it was issued, and the workload of the departments. On average, the procedure takes from 7 to 30 business days.

Simplified two-stage legalization

1. Affixing the stamp of legalization by the competent authority in the country of origin (usually 3-5 business days).
2. Confirmation of the document in the destination country (3-5 business days).

Example: a diploma issued in Canada and intended for use in Kazakhstan:
• First, the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs authenticates the seals and signatures.
• Then the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Canada confirms the seals and signatures of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Canada.
Extended three-step legalization

1. Confirmation of the document in the issuing country (3-5 business days).
2. Certification at the consulate of the destination country in the issuing state (3-5 business days).
3. Final confirmation at the authorized body of the destination country (3-5 business days).

Example: a diploma from Canada, if the recipient cannot apply to the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Canada:
• The Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs certifies signatures and seals.
• Further, instead of contacting the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Canada, the applicant submits documents to the Embassy of Canada in Kazakhstan.
• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan (MFA) confirms the signatures and seals of the Canadian Embassy.

Thus, each stage is aimed at step-by-step confirmation of the authenticity of signatures and seals so that the document is considered valid in another country.

A list of such countries:

Who is exempt from consular legalization?

1. Citizens of countries that have acceded to the Hague Convention of 1961. For them, there is a simplified procedure — apostille.
2. Persons from countries with which Kazakhstan has concluded bilateral agreements canceling legalization. For example, the Minsk and Chisinau Conventions.

Ukraine

Uzbekistan

Turkmenistan

Tadjikistan

Russia

Kyrgyzstan

Kazakhstan

Georgia

Belarus

Armenia

Azerbaijan

A list of such countries:

Which countries do not participate in the Hague Convention (legalization is mandatory)?

Qatar

Chile

Uruguay

Palestine

Egypt

Iraq

Sri Lanka

Canada

Costa Rica

China (except Hong Kong and Macau)

Kuwait

Libya

Saudi
Arabia

UAE

Stages of the procedure

Preparation of certified copies of documents

Translation and notarization of the translation

Payment of the state fee for legalization at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Submission of documents for legalization to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the issuing country

Payment of the fee at the embassy of the destination country

Certification of the document at the embassy of the destination country

Important: both the original document and its notarized copy can be legalized. Check this in advance with the appropriate department.

Possible difficulties:

• Absence of samples of signatures of notaries in the database of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan. This requires sending official requests, which increases the time frame.
• Technical requirements for documents: firmware, printing, use of red tape, etc.
• For legal entities: mandatory provision of constituent documents.
• Payment of the consular fee is strictly in accordance with the rules (payment by a legal entity or personal payment by an individual).
• Individuals must pay the fees themselves, without a power of attorney.

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