Certifying and translating

Certified copy

A certified copy is a copy of an original document. The copy bears an original hallmark stamp (ink stamp) and a signature or initials of an authorized organization or person. The hallmark certifies that the content of the copy is identical to the original.

Please note: an apostille does not replace a certified copy. An apostille only proves that the signature on the document is genuine, but says nothing about the content of the document. For that reason an apostille is not accepted.

Procedure Certificate of Competence:

The copies may be certified by:

• the institution that issued the original document, OR
• a civil-law notary established in the Netherlands

Procedure Recognition of Professional Qualification:

The copies may be certified by:

• the institution that issued the original document, OR
• a civil-law notary established in the Netherlands OR
• another authority that is competent for this in the country where you obtained your diploma. You can check this with your country of certification (for example a ministry)

Translatians

Procedure Certificate of Competence:

• documents must be translated into a language other than Dutch or English;
• you send the document in the original language and the original translation;
• the translation must be done by a sworn translator;
• if you send a copy of the translation, you must have it certified by the authority that issued the document (eg the translator) or a civil-law notary established in the Netherlands.

Procedure Recognition of Professional Qualification:

• documents drawn up in a language other than Dutch or English must be translated;
• you send the document in the original language and the original translation;
• the translation must be done by a sworn translator;
• if you send a copy of the translation, you must have it certified by the authority that issued the document (eg the translator), a civil-law notary established in the Netherlands or another authority authorized to do so in the country of certification.

Please note: the translator can not authenticate the translated original document. This can only be done by the institution that issued the document or by a notary from an EEA member state.

Important to know

• Certified copies will not be returned and will remain part of your file with us.
• We strongly recommend that you do not send any original documents. Unfortunately, these often get lost in the mail.
• If you still want to send an original document, this is at your own risk.
• You can collect an original document after you have received a message from us that your file is complete.
• We recommend to collect the original within one month after receiving the letter. After this month, the original document will go to a central archive. From that moment on it is only possible to collect the document by appointment.