Superlegalization, also referred to as a higher level of authentication, is an administrative act by which a public document – or a document that has already been officially certified – is authenticated for the purpose of its use abroad.
If a public document issued or certified by a Czech authority within the scope of its competence is to be recognized abroad, it must not only be legalized or superlegalized, but also properly translated into the official language of the destination country. In such cases, the certified translation itself must also be legalized.
The validity of a superlegalized document is not limited; however, it always depends on the type of document and the specific requirements of the authorities in the foreign country where the document is to be used.
The superlegalization of Czech documents is carried out by the central authority of state administration that is superior to the authority which issued the document. This is followed by further verification of the signature and official stamp of that superior authority by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, and finally by authentication by the diplomatic or consular mission of the country in which the document is to be used. This is a relatively complex and time-consuming administrative process. We will be happy to assist you with it and arrange the superlegalization on your behalf.
Superlegalization is not required in cases where an international treaty binding on the Czech Republic applies, such as the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents of 5 October 1961, which abolished the requirement of superlegalization between the contracting states and replaced it with a special certificate known as an apostille. Superlegalization is also not required if the Czech Republic has concluded a bilateral international agreement with the relevant country providing for an exemption from document authentication.
For further questions about legalization / consular legalization, please feel free to contact us by phone, email, using the inquiry form or visit us in person at Washingtonova 5, Prague 1. Frequently asked questions and answers are also available in the FAQ section.