For an Argentine public document to produce legal effects abroad — or a foreign document in Argentina — it must undergo a chain of legalizations certifying the authenticity of signatures and seals. Since 1988, Argentina has been a party to The Hague Convention of 1961, which replaced traditional legalization with a single procedure: the apostille.
The apostille is valid in all contracting states of the Convention (over 120 countries). For non-contracting states, the traditional chain of consular legalizations remains in place. We advise clients who need to present Argentine documents abroad (civil registry certificates, criminal records, court judgments, notarial deeds, university degrees, residence certificates) and those who need to give effect in Argentina to documents issued overseas.
If the destination country is a party to The Hague Convention of 1961, an apostille is sufficient. In Argentina, apostilles are issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with its main office in Buenos Aires and provincial branches, and in some cases through authorized notaries. If the destination country is not a party to the Convention, consular legalization is required: the document must first be legalized by the relevant Argentine authority, then by the Foreign Ministry, and finally by the consulate of the destination country accredited in Argentina.
Birth, marriage, divorce and death certificates, civil partnership records. For use abroad (Italian, Spanish or Polish citizenship applications; marriages in other countries; succession proceedings).
Federal criminal background certificate (Reincidencia) and provincial certificates. Commonly required for visa and residency applications in other countries.
For recognition of divorces abroad, custody arrangements, enforcement of international obligations, and granting powers of attorney to representatives in other countries.
Apostille issued by the Ministry of Education after the university legalizes the degree. Required for credential recognition abroad.
IGJ certificates, corporate articles, financial statements, contracts.
If the document is to be submitted in a country with a different official language, a certified translation by a sworn translator registered with the relevant College of Public Translators is generally required, with the translator's signature also legalized. The standard sequence is: original document → apostille or legalization → certified translation → College of Translators legalization → additional apostille or legalization depending on destination.