Regulatory Acts
Official legal resources for apostille, legalization, translation and civil registry documents
Apostille
The apostille system is governed by the Hague Convention of 1961, which Russia joined and has been actively implementing. Below are the key legal instruments that regulate how apostilles are placed on Russian documents.
Hague Convention of 5 October 1961 (Full Text)
The foundational international treaty that created the apostille system. Defines what an apostille is, which documents it applies to, and the format of the certificate. Currently ratified by over 120 countries.
hcch.netRussian Government Legal Portal (pravo.gov.ru)
The official database of Russian federal laws, presidential decrees and government resolutions. Useful for searching specific regulations related to document legalization.
pravo.gov.ruApostille Convention — Status Table (Member States)
Official status table showing all countries that have joined the 1961 Apostille Convention. If your destination country is listed, you need an apostille. If not, consular legalization is required.
hcch.netRussia has been a member of the Hague Apostille Convention since 1992. The competent authorities for placing apostilles include regional ZAGS offices, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and other designated bodies.
Notarized Translation
Notarized translation in Russia is regulated by federal legislation on notaries. A notary does not verify the quality of the translation itself, but certifies the translator's identity and signature, giving the document legal force.
Federal Law No. 4462-1 "On Notaries" (11 February 1993)
The primary law governing all notarial activities in Russia. Articles 81-85 regulate notarized certification of translations.
base.garant.ruMinistry of Justice of the Russian Federation
The federal body that oversees notarial activities in Russia. Contains regulatory updates, notary directories, and official guidance.
minjust.gov.ruFederal Notarial Chamber (notariat.ru)
The official website of the Federal Notarial Chamber of Russia. Contains information about notarial services, fees, a notary search tool, and practical guides.
notariat.ruConsular Legalization
For countries not party to the Hague Apostille Convention, consular legalization is required. This process involves multiple steps: notarization, certification by the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and finally the consulate of the destination country.
Consular Department of the Russian MFA
Official portal of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia. Contains information about consular legalization of documents, contact details and procedures.
mid.ruGosuslugi — State Services Portal
Unified portal of state services. Useful for obtaining police clearance certificates and other documents that may need legalization.
gosuslugi.ruCivil Registry (ZAGS) Documents
Obtaining documents from civil registry offices (ZAGS) is one of our key services. Below are useful resources.
Moscow ZAGS — Official Portal
Official portal of the Moscow ZAGS offices. Information on obtaining duplicate certificates, office hours and contact details.
zags.mos.ruUnified State Registry of Civil Records
Federal resource for checking civil registry records. Useful for determining which ZAGS office holds the record for your document.
zags.nalog.ru