Journal
Articles on document translation
We break down apostilles, legalization, and country-specific requirements — based on real orders.
Articles: 16
Getting a document from a Russian civil registry while living abroad: a case with a duplicate certificate
The original birth certificate was lost and the client has lived in Europe for years. We look at three ways to obtain a duplicate with an apostille — and which one turned out fastest.
Marrying a Russian citizen in Spain: the certificate of capacity to marry and its translation
The Spanish registry asks for a "certificado de capacidad matrimonial", but Russia issues no such certificate. We explain what replaces it and how to prepare the documents so the expediente does not stall.
Family reunification in Germany: the "fresh apostille" myth and the real reasons documents are returned
An apostille has no expiry date — yet documents for the German embassy still come back. We look at the real causes: worn certificates, transliteration mismatches and incomplete translations.
Aliyah to Israel: documents and a case with an archive certificate of the grandfather's nationality
Eligibility for repatriation is proven with ancestors' documents, which are often kept only in archives. We explain how to find, apostille and prepare an archive certificate for the consular check.
UAE: consular legalisation of a diploma for a work visa — five authorities instead of one apostille
The Emirates are not party to the Hague Convention, so a diploma has a long road through several agencies of two countries. We go through the chain step by step and where it most often breaks.
China after joining the Hague Convention: how to legalise a power of attorney for business now
Since November 2023, documents for China can be apostilled. We look at a case with a power of attorney for setting up a company: what became easier and what still needs attention.
Italy: citizenship by descent after the 2025 reform — which ancestors' documents still make sense
In spring 2025 Italy sharply narrowed citizenship by blood. We look at who was affected, which documents are still needed and how to apostille and translate them.
Documents for studying abroad: school certificate, transcript and a case of grade conversion
A foreign university received a translation of the school certificate but did not understand the grading system. We explain how to translate it, when an apostille is needed and who converts grades to the local scale.
Inheritance abroad: a case that needed documents from three countries at once
The father lived in Spain, the flat is in Russia, the heirs are in Germany and Russia. We explain how to put together a file for the notary when each certificate is issued in its own country and language.
Apostille for Spain: what you need to know
Spain accepts an apostille on most personal documents — but there are nuances with translation on the spot.
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