Why is an apostille needed?

Last week, a client contacted us to obtain an apostille for the Kbis extract of her French company. This document was to be used abroad, but she didn't know how to proceed or if the apostille was really necessary.

This type of situation is common. Whether for businesses or individuals, when an official French document needs to be presented abroad, it is often necessary to have it apostilled in order for it to be recognized by the local authorities.

Where does the apostille come from?

The apostille has existed since the entry into force of the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961. It was created to simplify the mutual recognition of public documents between signatory states, replacing the complex procedures of consular legalisation.

Which documents can be apostilled?

An apostille can be applied to many documents:

  • Extract from the Trade and Companies Register (Kbis) for setting up a subsidiary abroad
  • Diplomas for studying or working outside of France
  • Judgments, notarial deeds, contracts, civil status certificates
  • Documents for an international marriage

It takes the form of an official annotation or an attached sheet certifying:

  • the authenticity of the signature,
  • the capacity of the document's author,
  • and, if necessary, the validity of the stamp or seal.

It never alters the content of the document.

What has changed since May 2025: the reform of the apostille in France

Since May 1, 2025, the Chambers of Notaries have taken over the responsibility of issuing apostilles in France, under a public service delegation agreement. For companies registered in Paris (or under the jurisdiction of the Paris Court of Appeal), applications must be submitted via the official platform of the Paris Chamber of Notaries.

  • 100% paperless process
  • The apostille is exclusively electronic
  • Only digital documents signed electronically or blue originals with a QR code are accepted
  • Documents must be recent (less than 3 months old) and without annotations

Case study: the client of May 3, 2025

On May 3, 2025, a client contacted us to obtain an apostille for a company document. To ensure accurate advice, we consulted the Paris Chamber of Notaries directly.

Here are the key details:

  • Applications must be submitted online via the dedicated platform.
  • Documents must be sent by mail or delivered in person.
  • An appointment is possible, but only after the online application has been created.
  • Average processing time: 3 to 8 business days.
  • Standard fee: €20 excluding VAT per document for the first 3 documents, then €10 excluding VAT for each additional document.
  • Reshipping fee: Maximum €5 excluding VAT.
  • If the apostille is refused, no fee will be charged.

The 24-hour express service is no longer available.

In case of emergency, it is recommended to have the document certified by a notary or at the town hall, depending on availability as indicated on a national interactive map.

Postscript and translation: in what order should they be done?

It is always best to have the original document written in French apostilled first. Then, the entire document (including the apostille) must be translated by a certified translator.

This guarantees perfect recognition abroad, without risk of refusal or misunderstanding.

How long is an apostille valid for?

In theory, an apostille has no expiration date. However, it all depends on the validity of the original document:

  • For a Kbis extract (a French business registration certificate), the apostille remains valid for as long as the extract itself (generally 3 months).
  • For a diploma or civil status document, it is valid indefinitely.

Always check the validity of the main document before requesting an apostille!

Lexwell assists you with your apostille procedures

Our firm assists you at every step to simplify your international procedures:

  • Retrieval of your official documents (company registration certificates, court judgments, diplomas, etc.)
  • Certified translation by a certified professional
  • Arranging the apostille with the relevant Chamber of Notaries

Our goal: to ensure that your documents are compliant, ready for international use, without errors or unnecessary delays.