University Master's Degrees
Legalisation process for academic documents issued abroad
| Concept |
In order to certify the validity of qualifications issued outside the European Union, specific processes need to be followed in order to verify both the existence of the institution which issued them and the courses studied and the qualifications obtained.
The legalisation of foreign documents, in this case of an academic nature, is governed by the international agreements applying between the country of issue of the academic document and the country in which recognition of the authenticity of the said document is being sought. Procedures therefore vary depending on the country of origin (and/or destination) of the courses or qualifications. |
| Procedures affected |
The legalisation process is essential to the processing of certain types of application, including the following:
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| Documents which need to be legalised | - Academic qualifications - Academic certificates (you are reminded that these must include: the subjects/courses studied, together with the mark and number of hours/credits of each of them, plus the system of marks used) |
| Types of international agreement | The processes necessary to legalise the documents (and therefore for these documents to be valid in Spain) may vary according to their country of origin, depending on whether any international agreement applies.
Thus, the different circumstances, and legalisation processes, which may apply are as follows: A. Member states of the European Union and signatories to the European Economic Area agreement or bilateral agreement with the European Union: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Italy, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, Romania, Sweden and Cyprus; Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; and Switzerland. ► procedure IMPORTANT NOTE: On 12 February 2008, Spain has withdrawn the objection in accordance with article 12, paragraph 2, of the Convention. Therefore, the Convention has entered into force between Spain and India on 12 February 2008. ► procedure ► procedure |
A. Member states of the European Union and signatories to the European Economic Area agreement or bilateral agreements with the European Union
| Conditions |
No legalisation of any kind is required for documents. |
| Countries |
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B. Countries which are signatories to the Hague Convention
| Concept | Legalisation by means of a single stamp, known as an "Apostille," and a single signature. |
| Conditions |
The competent authorities in the country need to recognise the signatures of the academic authorities and issue the appropriate "apostille" or single legalisation. The recognition and the "apostille" must appear on the original document, before making the copy which is to be certified. Legalisation at the Spanish consulate in each country is not necessary, neither is legalisation by the Spanish ministry of foreign affairs and co-operation. |
| Countries | The signatories to the Hague Convention are the following countries:
► list of countries (web page of the Convention) IMPORTANT NOTE: On 12 February 2008, Spain has withdrawn the objection in accordance with article 12, paragraph 2, of the Convention. Therefore, the Convention has entered into force between Spain and India on 12 February 2008. |
| Authorities involved | Information about this legalisation must be supplied by the authorities or consular services of the country of origin. For reference, please consult:
► Competent authorities in signatory countries (web page of the Convention) |
| Procedure | The applicant must follow the two steps below:
1. Procedure for recognising/legalising signatures at the competent body in this area: |
| Nature of the legalisation |
A square stamp measuring at least 9 x 9cm will be made on the document. This will contain the following details: APOSTILLE 1.- Country ............................................. This public document 2.- Is signed by ......................... Certified 5.- in (place) ................................................ 10.- Signature..................... and be completed by the competent authority.. • To see an example: |
C. Countries which are signatories to the Andrés Bello Agreement
| Conditions | Documents must be legalised through diplomatic channels. The legalisation must appear on the original document, before making the copy which is to be certified. The approval of the legalisation section of the Spanish ministry of foreign affairs is not required. IMPORTANT: if the country is also a signatory to the Hague Convention of 05/10/1961 the documentation may be legalised with the apostille, as this is a simpler procedure than the one envisaged by the Andrés Bello Agreement. |
| Countries |
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Authorities involved |
1. The ministry of education or competent authority (e.g. the university itself) in the country of origin for academic qualifications and certificates. 2. The ministry of foreign affairs of the country where the said documents were issued. 3. The Spanish diplomatic or consular representation in the country. |
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Procedure |
The applicant must follow the three steps below:
1. Procedure for recognising signatures: Finally, the applicant must approach the Spanish consulate in the country where the qualification was awarded to request recognition of the signature on the legalisation by the ministry of foreign affairs. |
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Nature of the legalisation |
For example, the legalisation of a Chilean qualification bears the following stamps: |
D. Other countries
| Conditions | Documents must be legalised through diplomatic channels.
The legalisation must appear on the original document, before making the copy which is to be certified. |
| Authorities involved | 1. The ministry of education or competent authority (e.g. the university itself) in the country of origin for academic qualifications and certificates. 2. The ministry of foreign affairs of the country where the said documents were issued. 3. The Spanish diplomatic or consular representation in the country. 4. The legalisation section of the Spanish ministry of foreign affairs (C/ Serrano Galvache, 26 Madrid). |
| Procedure | The applicant must follow the three or four steps below:
1. Procedure for recognising signatures: Finally, the applicant must approach the Spanish consulate in the country where the qualification was awarded to request recognition of the signature on the legalisation by the ministry of foreign affairs. |
| Nature of the legalisation | Soon we will hang an example:
► see legalisation of qualification |
E. Other circumstancies
| Conditions | Certain extraordinary circumstances sometimes make it impossible to follow the established procedures (e.g. armed conflict, war, etc.). The Spanish ministry of foreign affairs has expressly laid down, on an exceptional basis, special procedures to enable all or part of the legalisation process which would normally take place in the country where the documents were issued to be conducted in Spain. |
| Countries | These are determined by the Spanish ministry of foreign affairs when it sees fit in accordance with the exceptional circumstances which may exist. |
| Authorities involved | 1. The Spanish embassy/consulate in the country where the documents were issued. 2. The Spanish ministry of foreign affairs and cooperation (in Madrid). |
| Procedure | The procedure to be followed is laid down by the Spanish ministry of foreign affairs when it sees fit, and is as follows:
1. The embassy/consulate in Spain of the country in conflict issues a document certifying the authenticity of the academic documentation. |
| Nature of the legalisation | This is a special legalisation. To see an example:
► see example |