Consul legalization of documents in Kazakhstan

If you plan to visit Kazakhstan to work or get University degree you can be asked to go through consul legalization process of documents. It is like an international notary, which allows foreign documents to be accepted in local Authorities.

How long does it take to legalize documents?

Legalization of documents has a few steps to finalize from both countries. Initially it must be approved by country of origin and then by country of destination. There are two scenarios of legalization of documents.

Scenario #1, standard

1. Approval of documents in country of origin (3-5 business days since application is registered).
2. Approval of documents in country of destination (3-5 business days since application is registered).

Scenario 2, +1 stage

1. Approval of documents in country of origin (3-5 business days since application is registered).
2. Approval of documents in country of destination by embassy of country of origin (3-5 business days since application is registered).
3. Approval of documents in country of destination (3-5 business days since application is registered).

Consul legalization is a procedure when seals and signatures are confirmed by authorized people step by step. Seals are like guarantee that document is issued and verified in appropriate way.

Who does not need to go through the procedure?

– Members of Apostille convention. They need apostille.

– Countries which have an internal agreement. For example, it is not required to legalize documents for countries of Minsk and Kishinev conventions:

• Azerbaijan
• Armenia
• Belorussia
• Georgia
• Kyrgyzstan
• Russia
• Tajikistan
• Turkmenistan
• Uzbekistan
• Ukraine

Can you list countries who did not sign Apostille Convention and need consul legalization?

• UAE
• Saudi Arabia
• Libya
• Kuwait
• China (except for Makao and Honk-Gong)
• Costa Rica
• Canada
• Sri Lanka
• Iraq
• Egypt
• Palestine
• Uruguay
• Chile
•  Qatar and others.

How much does it cost to legalize documents?

There are different rates in different embassies. Let us take for example, document issued in Kazakhstan for use in Canada.

1. Approval in MoFA in Kazakhstan. Government fee – 0,5 MCI.
2. Then legalization of document in embassy of Canada in Kazakhstan. Government fee – 50 Canada dollars.

Additional expenses: translation, notary verification and services of consultants.

Which documents usually legalize people?

• Educational documents
• Birth certificates
• Marriage / divorce certificates
• Charter documents of legal entities
• Power of attorneys
• Notary verified translations and others.

What is the list of required documents for consul legalization?

• Application
• Copy of ID card. Original is required to match with copy
• Notary verified copy of document to be legalized
• Confirmation of payment government fee
• Power of Attorney.

Important note: procedure is different for individuals and legal entities.

Where in legislation we can find information about legalization of documents?

There are Rules of consul legalization.

Can you describe plan of the process?

1. Notary verification of documents.
2. Translation and notary verification.
3. Government fee payment.
4. Legalization of documents in country of origin.
5. Consular fee payment.
6. Legalization of documents in the embassy of country of origin.

Important note: original or notarized copy of document can be legalized.

What are the red flags of legalization process?

• There is a database of signatures and stamps in MoFA. If notary did not submit samples, legalization cannot be done until it is provided.
• There are some requirements to documents: sewed by red ribbon, treble hole punch and others.
• Documents from legal entities must be submitted with Charter documents on annual basis.
• Government fee payment from legal entities is available only by bank transfer from own account.
• Government fee payment from an individual must be paid in person.