Diploma and Apostille

Students receive diploma of state sample after graduation. Consular legalization or Apostille is the most widespread way to make the educational documents accepted abroad if there are no agreement between countries about cancelation or simplification of legalization. 

The Apostilling is one of the legal regimes of recognition the validity of Ukrainian documents to be used abroad. The Apostille emerged as an alternative and versatile procedure for confirming the effect of foreign documents. Unlike consular legalization, the apostille need less time, and documents with an apostille can be used in different countries, but not in one.

It certifies the authenticity of the signature of the person who signed the document, as well as the authenticity of the seal or stamp which it bears.

The Apostille is a stamp not less than 10x10 cm, stamped or on paper or on a special sheet that is stitched together with the document. On October 1, 2011 MES put extra protection in the design of apostille. Now in the upper right corner of the apostille stamp should be a holographic image sized 13x25 mm, which played Emblem of Ukraine and the name of the Ministry.

In Ukraine, the authority to issue the certificate is provided by the Ministry of Education and science of Ukraine, Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Ministry of Education and science of Ukraine is authorized to put an Apostille on official documents concerning education and science.

 State Enterprise «Information and fashion center»  of the Ministry of Education and science of Ukraine serves as the National Information Centre for Academic Mobility (Order of 31.08.2011 № 924). In particular, the powers of the Centre to check the authenticity of educational documents issued by educational institutions of Ukraine and other countries.

The result of a positive test is putting the Ministry of Education and science of Ukraine stamp «Apostille» in the educational documents confirming the legality of their issue to the competent authorities for recognition in other countries. «Information and image center» prepares not only documents submitted for adoption by the Ministry decision to affixing a stamp «Apostille», it works on the principle of «single window» to provide maximum convenience when referring to the Ministry by apostille.

Ministry of Justice of Ukraine affixes an Apostille for documents issued by judicial authorities and courts, as well as documents that are issued by notaries of Ukraine.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine makes an Apostille on all other types of documents.

Documents that are affixed by apostille of MES Ukraine

Ministry of Education and science of Ukraine affixes an apostille on education documents or degrees issued by universities, government agencies, enterprises, institutions and organizations. These documents include certificates, diplomas, certificates and curricula, certificates and certificates of training, diplomas and certificates awarding scientific degrees and more. Documents must meet the state standard, adopted in Ukraine at the time of issuance of the document.

Certificate shall be issued only to the original credentials. Copies for the certificate will not be accepted. In addition, the document will not be accepted for work if:

• the document is intended for use in a country which has not acceded to the Hague Convention and which is a party of the Convention, but expressed its objection to the accession of Ukraine in accordance with Article 12 of the Convention;

• a text document can not be read when it damaged;

• document written or signed in pencil, obtained by means of facsimile;

• the document is correct;

• documents as archival certificate, syllabus, certificate is not signed rector or vice-rector or certified official stamp;

• if the signature on the document does not match the specified position, surname, name and patronymic of the head of the educational institution or agency.

The list of countries that recognize the apostille

It placed on Ukrainian documents are used in countries that have signed the Convention, which abolishes the requirement of legalization for foreign public documents (Hague Convention). The list of participating countries is provided below.

The list of Parties of the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents 1961 (Apostille)

* Countries with which Ukraine is in legal assistance agreements abrogating the requirement for legalization of public confirming documents. But the Apostille accelerates the recognition of educational documents procedure.

Moreover the documents issued in Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan do not require approval (a stamp “Apostille”, consular legalization).

All other countries which are non-members of the Hague Apostille Convention and with which Ukraine doesn’t have bilateral or multilateral agreements have to make consular legalization of educational documents.

Countries for which affix the apostille on documents is not required

1) If documents are prepared for a country that is not acceded to the Hague Convention and it is not in the list of participating countries must apply for consular legalization procedure. You must contact the Division of Apostille and vindication of the Consular Service of the MFA of Ukraine:

01018, Kyiv, str. Zhytomyr, 2, tel.: +380 44 238 16 69.

2) If the documents are being prepared for presentation in a country that has signed the Hague Convention, but between the two countries signed an agreement on the elimination or simplification of legalization of documents, the apostille is not required.      If the foreign institution still requires documents apostille. Ministry of Education and science of Ukraine will not refuse it. These countries include most countries - former Soviet republics and some other countries. The list of countries participating countries such asterisk - In these countries should adopt Ukrainian documents without apostil attestation.

Costs and terms

1) Each document, which should be a seal issue the certificate is considered a separate document.

2) Mandatory fee for regular processing of each document:

• State duty –51,00 USD;

• the cost of processing the document – 60 UAH.

3) State duty in the amount of UAH 51 per document surcharge.

4) Payment receipts (state duty, service urgent document processing, etc.) is due upon filing.

5) Cost Courier (postal) mailing Ukraine is paid by the owner of the documents.

• the cost of processing documents and stamp duty are added to the cost of remote filing.

• terms for obtaining the apostille does not include shipping time.