Documents Notarization and Authentication

Notarization

If the document is in the Ukrainian language and requires notarization, it may be signed by the signatory person (citizen of Ukraine) at the presence of the Ukrainian Consular Officer at the Embassy of Ukraine who will thereafter notarize it. This procedure is known as the "notarization" process and is substantially similar to the procedures followed in Australia. The Ukrainian citizens can find more information regarding Notarization in Ukrainian language in the section Consular matters.
Authentication

On December 22, 2003 the Hague Covention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents entered into force in Ukraine. In this concern a new procedure of legalisation of public documents is implemented in the territory of Ukraine. It means that the public documents (as defined by the Hague Convention), which were issued by the Australian authorities and are to be presented to the Ukrainian authorities, must have an APOSTILLE put by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia.
On December 22, 2003 the Hague Covention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents entered into force in Ukraine. In this concern a new procedure of legalisation of public documents is implemented in the territory of Ukraine. It means that the public documents (as defined by the Hague Convention), which were issued by the Australian authorities and are to be presented to the Ukrainian authorities, must have an APOSTILLE put by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia.

Document with APOSTILLE does not require further legalisation at the Embassy of Ukraine, except the cases when content of the document has direct concern with commercial or customs transactions.

The above-mention procedure applies between Ukraine and Foreign countries, who are also parties to the Convention: Australia, Austria, Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, *Belgium, Byelorussia, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brunei, China – Hong Kong, China – Macao, the Czekh Republic, Cyprus, Colombia, Croatia, Dominica, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, *Germany, Grenada, Greece, Israel, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lesotho, Lithuania, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Mauritius, Macedonia, Malawi, Malta, Marshal Islands, Mexico, Monaco, Namibia, Netherlands, Niue, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Portugal, Russian Federation, Romania, South Africa, Samoa, San Marino, Swaziland, Seychelles, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint-Kitts and Nevis, Sait Lucia, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spane, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, United Kingdom, USA, Ukraine, Venezuela, Japan.

*The previous legalisation procedure applies for the relations betweem Ukraine, on the one hand, and Belgiumand Germany, on the other.
The instrument of accession contains the following declaration:

"In accordance with Article 6 of the Convention and the Decree of the Government of Ukraine No.61 dated January 18, 2003, an apostille may be granted by the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine on documents issued by judicial authorities and courts, including documents certified by Ukraine’s notaries; the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine on official documents issued by the bodies for education, state authorities, establishments and organisations, related to education and science; and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine on all other documents."

Detailed information regarding the procedure of granting an APOSTILLE by the Ukrainian competent authorities can be found on the web-site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.