Who issues an apostille for a diploma?
The Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus issues apostilles for Belarusian education documents. This includes university and college diplomas, their supplements, school certificates and certificates of study. An apostille verifies the authenticity of the educational institution's signature and seal. The diploma is then accepted in countries party to the 1961 Hague Convention without consular legalisation. A Belarusian diploma cannot be apostilled abroad.
Diploma and supplement
Your diploma states your field of study and qualification, while the supplement lists subjects, hours and grades. It is the supplement that is examined for qualification recognition and professional employment. It is therefore best to apostille both documents at once, so you do not have to order a second apostille when the institution requests the supplement.
Diploma recognition in Poland and other EU countries
In Poland, diplomas issued before 29 September 2005 are recognised under international agreements; later diplomas require nostrification through a university (nostryfikacja). For admission to a master's programme, the university requests information from NAWA. Regulated professions, such as doctors, nurses and teachers, have a separate procedure that almost always requires the diploma and supplement with apostilles and sworn translations. In Germany, ZAB and the relevant professional authorities handle recognition. The institution to which you apply sets the exact document list.
Is a translation needed?
Almost always, yes. Poland requires a translation by a sworn translator (tłumacz przysięgły), and Germany requires a certified translation. Both the diploma and supplement are translated together with their apostilles. The supplement may run to several pages, which affects the time and price of translation, so send photos of it in full.
If the diploma is lost or damaged
If your diploma is lost, laminated or badly damaged, we will obtain a duplicate from the educational institution and arrange an apostille straight away. If the university has closed or changed its name, its successor or archive issues the duplicate; we will handle the enquiries. You do not need to travel to Belarus. Find out more on the “Duplicate diplomas and school certificates” page.
Timeframes and what to prepare
A diploma apostille is usually ready in 7–14 working days, or 5 with urgent service. A duplicate takes longer; we will give you an exact date in your quote. We send a scan as soon as it is ready and deliver the original by courier to any European country in 2–5 working days. For a quote, send photos of your diploma and supplement, the country and the purpose: work, study or recognition.