Following order no. 2020-192 of March 4, 2020,which modified the issuance methods of the apostille, this competence was transferred to the notariat. The scope of this new mission was specified by decree no. 2021-1205 of September 17, 2021 and by an order dated December 23, 2024The implementation of this system has been effective since May 2025.
COMPETENT AUTHORITIES
Since May 1, 2025, the notaries of France, through 15 Regional Councils or Interdepartmental Chambers, have been responsible for issuing apostilles, a mission previously carried out by the public prosecutors of the 33 courts of appeal:
- Interdepartmental Chamber of Notaries of Nord and Pas-de-Calais
- Interdepartmental Chamber of Notaries of the Court of Appeal of Rouen;
- Interdepartmental Chamber of Notaries of Paris;
- • Interdepartmental Chamber of Notaries of the Court of Appeal of Rennes;
- Inter-regional Council of Notaries of the Courts of Appeal of Colmar and Metz;
- Interdepartmental Chamber of Notaries of Maine-et-Loire, Mayenne, and Sarthe;
- Interdepartmental Chamber of Notaries of Franche-Comté;
- Interdepartmental Chamber of Notaries of the Court of Appeal of Lyon;
- Interdepartmental Chamber of Notaries of Franche-Comté;
- Interdepartmental Chamber of Notaries of Ariège, Haute-Garonne, Tarn, and Tarn-et-Garonne;
- Regional Council of Notaries of the Court of Appeal of Montpellier;
- Regional Council of Notaries of the Court of Appeal of Aix-en-Provence;
- Regional Council of Notaries of the Court of Appeal of Bastia;
- Departmental Chamber of Notaries of La Réunion;
- Interdepartmental Chamber of Notaries of Guiana and Martinique.
As of May 1, the issuance of apostilles is now an exclusive competence of the notaries of France. The previous option via the public prosecutors of the courts of appeal is no longer available.
WHAT IS AN APOSTILLE?
An apostille is a formality that certifies the authenticity of a public document intended for use abroad, in a country signatory to the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961. It ensures the veracity of the signature, the quality of the signatory, and the authenticity of the seal or stamp on the document. It does not concern the content of the document.
In practice, the apostille takes the form of an official stamp applied to the document. It facilitates the international circulation of acts by eliminating the requirement of legalization between member states of the Hague Convention.
HOW TO OBTAIN AN APOSTILLE?
Since May 1, 2025, there are two ways to request an apostille:
- Online, via the dedicated platform accessible here: Accueil - Portail Grand Public
- Directly at the Apostille Center of one of the 15 Regional Councils or Interdepartmental Chambers of Notaries(an interactive map helps identify the competent Regional Councils or Interdepartmental Chambers, with full contact details: addresses, hours, emails, and phone numbers).).
Guideline of prerequisites by type of act: https://www.notaires.fr/fr/media/1537
Article detailing all steps of the procedure: Légalisation ou apostille d'un acte public établi par une autorité française | Service-Public.fr
PROCESSING TIMES
The apostille is generally issued within 3 working days after verifying the necessary information in the national public signature database, provided that the dossier is complete.
LEGAL FOUNDATION
Navigating the international legal framework, especially for document apostille, can be complex. If you are considering collaborating with Brazil, we are here to assist. Thanks to our partners in France, we can connect you with the necessary resources to facilitate your processes.
