Glossary
Apostille
This text was generated by AI and has not been reviewed by an editor. Every figure shows its law and source. Confirm the conditions for your case at a consultation before deciding.
In short
An apostille is a certificate under the Hague Convention that confirms the signature and seal on a public document. A document from a Convention country is apostilled in the issuing country for use in Slovenia; documents from other countries need full legalisation through Slovenia's foreign ministry or an embassy.
Key figures
- Document from a Hague Convention country
- certified with an apostille in the issuing country; no further certification by Slovenia's foreign ministry or embassy is neededLegal basis: ZOLMP-1, 14. člen · as of 10 October 2026 · source
- Document from other countries
- full legalisation: after certification in the issuing country it is certified by Slovenia's foreign ministry or a Slovenian embassy or consulatean international treaty or an EU act can waive certification for some documentsLegal basis: ZOLMP-1, 14. člen · as of 10 October 2026 · source
- Parties to the Apostille Convention
- 130 (HCCH status table as of 30 June 2026)as of 10 October 2026 · source
- Parties include, among others
- Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Georgia and Armeniaas of 10 October 2026 · source
- What an apostille confirms
- the authenticity of the signature and seal, not the content of the documentLegal basis: ZOLMP-1, 3. člen · as of 10 October 2026 · source
- Apostille on a Slovenian document
- issued by the district courts (okrožna sodišča); signatures of notaries and court interpreters are certified by the Ministry of JusticeLegal basis: ZOLMP-1, 12. in 13. člen · as of 10 October 2026 · source
Foreign documents for Slovenia
- Convention country: certified with an apostille in the issuing country; no further certification by Slovenia's foreign ministry or embassy is needed.
- Non-Convention country: full legalisation: after certification in the issuing country it is certified by Slovenia's foreign ministry or a Slovenian embassy or consulate.
- Parties to the Convention: 130 (HCCH status table as of 30 June 2026). They include: Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Georgia and Armenia.
- An international treaty or an EU act can waive certification for some documents, so check with the authority you file with.
What an apostille confirms
An apostille confirms the authenticity of the signature and seal, not the content of the document. That is why a document in a foreign language usually also needs a Slovenian translation by a court interpreter (sodni tolmač).
Before filing, check that every foreign document carries an apostille or legalisation and that no certificate has expired.
Apostilles on Slovenian documents
If you need a Slovenian document abroad, the apostille is issued by the district courts (okrožna sodišča); signatures of notaries and court interpreters are certified by the Ministry of Justice.
Frequently asked questions
Do Russian and Ukrainian documents need an apostille for Slovenia?
Yes. Russia and Ukraine are parties to the Hague Convention, so the document is apostilled in the issuing country and no legalisation at a Slovenian embassy is needed.
Where do I get an apostille on a document issued in Slovenia?
The apostille is issued by the district courts (okrožna sodišča); signatures of notaries and court interpreters are certified by the Ministry of Justice.
What if the country is not a party to the Convention?
You need full legalisation: after certification in the issuing country it is certified by Slovenia's foreign ministry or a Slovenian embassy or consulate.
Related terms
Sources
This text was generated by AI and has not been reviewed by an editor.
Updated: 10 October 2026
General information, not individual legal advice. Rules and amounts change: confirm the exact conditions for your case at a consultation.