When planning to work, study, or settle in Finland, ensuring the proper authentication of your documents is crucial. Finland follows. SFI Apostille Convention, which simplifies the legalization process for official documents. However, in some cases, Finland Embassy Attestation may still be required for specific purposes.

Understanding Apostille for Finland

An Apostille is an official certification that verifies the authenticity of documents for international use. Since Finland is a member of the Hague Convention of 1961, documents issued in India and other member countries require an Apostille stamp rather than traditional embassy attestation. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in India is responsible for issuing the Apostille stamp.

Why Do You Need Apostille for Finland?

Apostille certification is essential for various purposes in Finland, including:

• Employment Visa – If you are securing a job in Finland, your degree certificate apostille is mandatory.
• Higher Education—Universities and colleges require educational certificate attestation for admission.
• Business Setup—A commercial documents apostille is needed for setting up a company or conducting business transactions in Finland.
• Family Visa/Dependent Visa—Marriage certificates, birth certificates, and other personal documents must be apostilled for visa applications.
• Residency Permit – Authorities may request a police clearance certificate (PCC) attestation before granting a residence permit.

Finland Apostille Procedure in India

The Apostille process depends on the type of document:

For Educational Documents (Degree, Diploma, School Certificates, etc.)

1. HRD Authentication (if required) – From the respective State HRD Department.
2. Apostille by MEA – The Ministry of External Affairs provides an Apostille stamp on the document.

For Personal Documents (Birth, Marriage, PCC, etc.)

1. Notary Public Attestation—A local notary verifies the document.
2. State Home Department Attestation—Required in some cases.
3. Apostille by MEA—The document is apostilled by the MEA of India.

For Commercial Documents (Business Agreements, Incorporation Certificates, etc.)

1. Chamber of Commerce Attestation—Verification from a recognized Chamber of Commerce in India.
2. MEA Apostille – Apostille is provided by the Ministry of External Affairs.

Finland Embassy Attestation—When is it Required?

While Finland generally accepts Apostille, some organizations or authorities in Finland may still request Finland Embassy Attestation. This is needed when:

• The document is not eligible for apostille.
• The authorities in Finland explicitly request Embassy Attestation instead of Apostille.
• Non-Hague Convention countries are involved in the document’s prior legalization process.

Finland Embassy Attestation Procedure in India

If embassy attestation is required, the process includes:

1. Notary Attestation
2. State-Level Authentication (HRD/Home Department/SDM Attestation)
3. MEA Attestation (Ministry of External Affairs, India)
4. Finland Embassy Attestation

How Long Does the Apostille Process Take?

The timeline for obtaining an Apostille or Embassy Attestation varies depending on the document type:

• Apostille Processing: 2-7 working days.
• Embassy Attestation: 7-15 working days, depending on the verification requirements.

Validity of Apostille for Finland

An Apostille stamp is generally valid indefinitely unless specified otherwise by the requesting authority. However, some institutions may require recently issued apostilled documents, typically not older than six months.

FAQs on Finland Apostille and Attestation

1. What is the cost of Finland Apostille services?

    

   • The cost depends on the document type and the process required. Charges may include state authentication, MEA Apostille fees, and service provider charges.
2. Can I get a degree certificate apostilled without HRD authentication?

    

   • Yes, in some cases, SDM Apostille can be done if HRD authentication is not feasible.
3. Is Embassy Attestation required for Finland?

    

   • Not always. Finland follows the Apostille convention, but some authorities may still request Embassy Attestation.
4. Do I need a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) attestation for Finland?

    

   • Yes, if you are applying for a job or residency, PCC attestation may be required.
5. Where can I get my documents apostilled in India?

    

   • Apostille services are provided by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and authorized agencies.
6. Can I apply for Finland Apostille online?

    

   • Some service providers offer online applications, but the Apostille process requires physical submission of documents.
7. How long is the Apostille stamp valid for Finland?

    

   • Generally, indefinitely, but some institutions may require recent apostilles (within 6 months).
8. Do commercial documents require Chamber of Commerce attestation?

    

   • Yes, before MEA Apostille, commercial documents must be attested by the Chamber of Commerce.
9. Can I apostille my birth certificate for Finland?

    

   • Yes, birth certificates need an Apostille stamp for family visa applications.
10. Can I get Finland Apostille services through an agency?

     

• Yes, hiring a professional Apostille service provider can simplify the process and ensure accurate documentation.

WE UNDERTAKE BELOW MENTIONED CERTIFICATES APOSTILLE/LEGALISATION FOR FINLAND.

1) EDUCATIONAL CERTIFICATE APOSTILLE/LEGALISATION

• Educational certificate apostille/legalisation for Finland
• UG degree certificate apostille/legalisation for Finland
• PG degree certificate apostille/legalisation for Finland
• Diploma degree certificate apostille/legalisation for Finland
• PhD degree certificate apostille/legalisation for Finland
• Engineering degree certificate apostille/legalisation for Finland
• Medical degree certificate apostille/legalisation for Finland
• Management degree certificate apostille/legalisation for Finland
• Hotel management certificate apostille/legalisation for Finland
• Law degree certificate apostille/legalisation for Finland
• Technical degree certificate apostille/legalisation for Finland
• Professional degree certificate apostille/legalisation for Finland

2) NON EDUCATIONAL CERTIFICATE APOSTILLE/LEGALISATION

• Foreign Affairs (FA) apostille/legalisation for Finland
• Salary Certificate apostille/legalisation for Finland
• Transfer Certificate (TC) apostille/legalisation for Finland
• Equivalence apostille/legalisation for Finland
• Death Certificate apostille/legalisation for Finland
• Birth Certificate apostille/legalisation for Finland
• Divorce Certificate apostille/legalisation for Finland
• Experience/ Employment Certificate apostille/legalisation for Finland
• Marriage Certificate apostille/legalisation for Finland
• Medical Certificate apostille/legalisation for Finland
• Single Status Certificate apostille/legalisation for Finland
• Ministry of education department apostille/legalisation for Finland
• Ministry of health department apostille/legalisation for Finland
• Ministry of Justice apostille/legalisation for Finland
• Chamber of commerce apostille/legalisation for Finland
• Labor department apostille/legalisation for Finland