As of 2020, sworn translation is the only option for official translation to or from Estonian. Translations are no longer notarised. These requirements are provided for in the Sworn Translators Act of the Republic of Estonia. Send us an inquiry and our in-house sworn translator of the English language will provide you a translation, or we will assist you in finding a sworn translator. Sworn translation is the option for you if you want to make sure that the translator's skills have been certified by the Estonian state and the sworn translation will be accepted across the world.
Apostille is used to certify official documents issued in Estonia, including administrative acts (diplomas, certificates, statements, notices etc.); documents issued by the court or related agencies; documents by the notary or sworn translator. Apostille is only added to paper documents carrying a handwritten signature of the issuer. State examination certificates signed digitally can be apostilled, as the notary has access to these.
Translations cannot be apostilled! Apostille is attached to the original to certify the competence of the person issuing the document.
Bringing the documents in to our agency, please note the following.
- Sworn translators only translate original copies of the document.
- Only documents issued in Estonia can be apostilled in Estonia, except for documents issued before the restoration of independence. Please find the requirements related to apostille on the webpage of the Chamber of Notaries.
- Documents issued abroad must be apostilled in the country of issue.
- Passports and ID-cards are not translated—these documents are internationally accepted as the original. Apostille issued with items in Latin alphabet are not translated, as the original verson is accepted in Estonia in accordance with the Hague Convention.
- Certificates of birth, death, marriage and divorce are issued in Estonian, English, French and German, by the population register. To receive these, request must be submitted to the local government agency who will obtain information from the population register of the Vital Statistics Office.
- If the documents are to be used in a country that has entered into a legal assistance agreement with Estonia, documents do not need to be apostilled. Since June 2012, extracts of vital statistics issued in Estonia or Finland do not need to be apostilled.