Through Decree No. 2023-25 of 23 January 2023, the French authorities announced an update of the documents’ authentication procedures. The aim of the reform was to modernize such administrative procedure by simplifying it and dematerializing it.
Aim of the reform
In line with Ministerial Decree of 23 December 2024, the legalization reform became effective from 1 May 2025 for apostilles.
An apostille is a simplified authentication procedure available in countries that signed the 1961 Hague Convention. It consists in the application of a stamp on the relevant document, thus avoiding the often-lengthy legalization process by the diplomatic representation of the destination country.
So far, the procedure for apostilling French documents existed only in paper format. The legalization office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was responsible for legalization requests, while the apostille was affixed by the Court of Appeal.
The new reform aimed to:
- Assign the competence to apostille documents to notaries
- Simplify and centralize the application procedure by using a dedicated platform
- Create a national database of public recognized signatures
Furthermore, a new procedure will become effective from 1 September 2025 for legalizations.
Main procedural updates
As a result of the new procedures, apostille requests can now be initiated online through the dedicated platform. Furthermore, notaries are responsible for issuing the apostille stamp, instead of the Courts of Appeal.
First, the user accessing the platform must create a new request which generates a receipt with a file number. Such receipt must be included with the original document to be apostilled.
Secondly, the applicant will send or deliver the document in person to the nearest apostille center. An exception is made for electronically signed documents, which can be apostilled online directly through the platform. Also, it is important to note that documents can be sent to any apostille center regardless of where they were signed.
Finally, the authorities set the fees for this new procedure. Notaries may also apply a fast-track option for urgent cases, with a delivery of 24 hours subject to the payment of higher fees
