Obtaining Original Documents

Sometimes, in addition to an apostille or superlegalisation, you will need to provide original documents such as a register extract, various certificates or other papers. Getting hold of them can be surprisingly complicated, so you will save time and money by turning to our specialists.

Obtaining originals abroad

The same process is harder abroad, because you have to use the right forms with the correct terminology in the foreign language. Just as importantly, those forms have to be completed accurately and in full. Here too, we can only advise you to rely on experts who are experienced in this kind of work.

Obtaining originals in Slovakia

For some documents no power of attorney is needed, for example an extract from the commercial register, the land registry (cadastre) or the register of medicinal products. For others, such as diplomas or a criminal record extract, a power of attorney is required. As soon as we receive it, we will begin work on your documents.

Why original documents matter

Authorities that accept apostilled or superlegalised documents almost always want to see the original, or an officially issued duplicate, rather than a simple photocopy. A certified copy is often not enough either. This means that before any verification can begin, you need a valid original in your hands, and that is frequently where the first delays occur.

Validity and issue dates

Many receiving authorities only accept documents issued within a certain period. A birth or marriage certificate, a criminal record extract or a commercial register extract may be considered too old even though it has never formally expired. The acceptable age varies from country to country and from institution to institution, so it is important to check the requirement in advance. If your document is too old, the solution is usually to request a fresh original or duplicate from the issuing authority.

Requesting documents on your behalf

Some documents can be requested by a third party without any special authorisation, while others are only released to the person concerned or to someone holding a power of attorney. Where a power of attorney is needed, we will tell you exactly what it must contain and how it should be signed. As soon as we receive it, we can apply for the documents and continue with the next steps without you having to visit the offices yourself.

Documents from abroad

Obtaining an original from another country brings additional challenges: application forms in a foreign language, specific terminology, local payment methods and postal arrangements for returning the document. Mistakes at this stage can mean a rejected application and weeks of lost time. Our experience with foreign authorities helps you avoid these pitfalls.

If you need an original document for an apostille, superlegalisation or translation, contact us. We will tell you what is required and take care of obtaining it for you.