CONSULAR LEGALIZATION AND APOSTILLE OF DOCUMENTS IN KAZAKHSTAN
2025
2025
In order for an official document of Kazakhstani origin to be valid abroad, it must be legalised in Kazakhstan in advance.
Here you can learn about the main stages of consular legalisation and apostille of documents for use abroad.
Here you can learn about the main stages of consular legalisation and apostille of documents for use abroad.
Legalization
There are two types of legalization of official documents:
In what cases is it necessary to legalize or apostille documents intended for use abroad?
Consular legalization or apostille is required in the case of:
Which documents are subject to legalization or apostille?
The following Kazakhstani documents can be legalized or apostilled for submission to other countries:
- consular legalization
- apostille
In what cases is it necessary to legalize or apostille documents intended for use abroad?
Consular legalization or apostille is required in the case of:
- employment abroad;
- moving to another country for permanent residence;
- studying in foreign educational institutions;
- marriage outside the Republic of Kazakhstan;
- other cases when there is a need to interact with the competent authorities of a foreign country
Which documents are subject to legalization or apostille?
The following Kazakhstani documents can be legalized or apostilled for submission to other countries:
- education diploma (including an appendix)
- university archive certificate
- general secondary education certificate
- marriage certificate, certificate of birth
- certificate of marriageability
- certificate of criminal record and tax residency
- other official document
Important
According to the rules, only the original or notarised copy of a document can be legalized or apostilled. In addition, the translation of the document into a foreign language must be notarized. Documents must be in proper condition with a clearly visible seal and signature, without extraneous inscriptions and marks.
Please note that electronic versions of documents (with QR code) without signature and seal will not be accepted for the process.
If the original document has been lost or you are already outside Kazakhstan, WPK consultants can assist you in obtaining a duplicate and submitting documents in Kazakhstan. In this case, we perform all actions on your behalf remotely on the basis of a notary power of attorney.
According to the rules, only the original or notarised copy of a document can be legalized or apostilled. In addition, the translation of the document into a foreign language must be notarized. Documents must be in proper condition with a clearly visible seal and signature, without extraneous inscriptions and marks.
Please note that electronic versions of documents (with QR code) without signature and seal will not be accepted for the process.
If the original document has been lost or you are already outside Kazakhstan, WPK consultants can assist you in obtaining a duplicate and submitting documents in Kazakhstan. In this case, we perform all actions on your behalf remotely on the basis of a notary power of attorney.
Consular legalization
Consular legalization of documents is required in those countries that have not acceded to the Hague Convention. For example, China, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Thailand, Vietnam, etc.
The process consists of two stages:
Note:
What documents will be required for consular legalization?
Processing time and rates of fees:
The process consists of two stages:
- certification of the document by the Department of Consular Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan
- Recognition of the document by the consular service of a foreign embassy/consulate accredited in Kazakhstan
Note:
- If there is no embassy/consulate in Kazakhstan, legalization is carried out in the nearest embassy (e.g. in Russia).
What documents will be required for consular legalization?
- Identity document
- Application form
- The document to be legalised and its notarised copy with a translation into the relevant language
- Receipt of payment of the state duty / consular fee
- Notarised power of attorney in case of submission by a representative
- Other documents at the request of the foreign consulate
Processing time and rates of fees:
- The standard term for legalization of a document in the Department of Consular Service of the MFA is 3 business days.
- Consideration of a document in a foreign consulate takes on average from 5 to 15 business days depending on the type of document and requirements of the consulate.
- The consular fee for legalization of a document in the Department of Consular Service of the MFA is 0.5 MCI.
- The amount of consular fee for legalization of a document in a consulate depends on the rate of each individual consulate.
Important
If the document is in doubt or additional clarifications are required, a request is sent to the competent authority that issued the document. In this case, the review period is extended.
If the document is in doubt or additional clarifications are required, a request is sent to the competent authority that issued the document. In this case, the review period is extended.
Apostille
Apostille is a simplified procedure for legalization of documents between countries that have acceded to the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961.
The process of apostille of documents in Kazakhstan is carried out in one stage, the service can be obtained at the State Corporation "Government for Citizens".
In Kazakhstan, the apostilled document is stamped with a standard four-cornered stamp in the state, English and French languages with the stamp of the authorized state body.
What documents will be required for apostille?
Processing time and fees
The process of apostille of a document at the Public Service Center takes up to 5 business days, not including the date of submission.
The consular fee for apostille of a document at the Public Service Center is 0.5 MCI.
Which countries do not require legalization and apostille?
Legalization and apostille of Kazakhstani documents are not required if they will be used in the territory of one of the countries-parties to the Convention on legal aid and legal relations in civil, family and criminal cases (Kishinev, 7 October 2002).
Currently, the parties to the Kishinev Convention are Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
In these countries documents are accepted without any consular legalisation mark or apostille stamp. It is sufficient to submit the original or a notarized copy of the document with a translation into the relevant language.
The process of apostille of documents in Kazakhstan is carried out in one stage, the service can be obtained at the State Corporation "Government for Citizens".
In Kazakhstan, the apostilled document is stamped with a standard four-cornered stamp in the state, English and French languages with the stamp of the authorized state body.
What documents will be required for apostille?
- Identity document
- Document subject to apostille (documents are accepted for apostille both in originals and in notarised copies)
- Document confirming payment of the state fee
- Notarised power of attorney, in case the representative of the beneficiary applies.
Processing time and fees
The process of apostille of a document at the Public Service Center takes up to 5 business days, not including the date of submission.
The consular fee for apostille of a document at the Public Service Center is 0.5 MCI.
Which countries do not require legalization and apostille?
Legalization and apostille of Kazakhstani documents are not required if they will be used in the territory of one of the countries-parties to the Convention on legal aid and legal relations in civil, family and criminal cases (Kishinev, 7 October 2002).
Currently, the parties to the Kishinev Convention are Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
In these countries documents are accepted without any consular legalisation mark or apostille stamp. It is sufficient to submit the original or a notarized copy of the document with a translation into the relevant language.
Order the legalization of documents
at WPK
at WPK
Our consultants will take over the whole process, (on the basis of power of attorney) represent and protect your interests at the Foreign Consulates, Kazakhstan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other government agencies.
Submit a request or contact us by phone:
+7 771 718 07 05, Nazerke Mukhtarkyzy
Submit a request or contact us by phone:
+7 771 718 07 05, Nazerke Mukhtarkyzy
Submit a request
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Our work with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Every day we represent the interests of our clients in the Consular Service Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, in particular we apply to the Consular Legalization Unit
- we coordinate documents with authorized bodies, consulates, check the availability of signature and seal samples in the database of the DCS of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan
- we prepare a package of necessary documents: we collect, translate and notarize them in accordance with the requirements of each individual consulate
- we represent and defend the interests of the client in the process in all government agencies, consulates
- we provide the client with the result. We advise on related issues, deadlines, and give our recommendations
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About us
WPK Consulting Company (formerly Work Permits Kazakhstan) is a 100% Kazakhstani company, founded in 2002, with offices in Astana, Almaty and Atyrau.
We have been specializing in labor, migration legislation and outsourcing of business tasks for more than 20 years.
Our consultants accompany small, medium and large foreign companies in Kazakhstan, provide services and represent the interests of HR managers, specialists, as well as foreign managers and employees of organizations.
We have been specializing in labor, migration legislation and outsourcing of business tasks for more than 20 years.
Our consultants accompany small, medium and large foreign companies in Kazakhstan, provide services and represent the interests of HR managers, specialists, as well as foreign managers and employees of organizations.
About us
WPK Consulting Company (formerly Work Permits Kazakhstan) is a 100% Kazakhstani company, founded in 2002, with offices in Astana, Almaty and Atyrau.
We have been specializing in labor, migration legislation and outsourcing of business tasks for more than 20 years.
Our consultants accompany small, medium and large foreign companies in Kazakhstan, provide services and represent the interests of HR managers, specialists, as well as foreign managers and employees of organizations.
We have been specializing in labor, migration legislation and outsourcing of business tasks for more than 20 years.
Our consultants accompany small, medium and large foreign companies in Kazakhstan, provide services and represent the interests of HR managers, specialists, as well as foreign managers and employees of organizations.