On March 9, 2021, the European Convention on the Abolition of the Legalisation of Documents executed by Diplomatic Agents or Consular Officers, of June 7, 1968, will enter into force in the Russian Federation.

The Convention simplifies the procedure for the recognition of the documents issued by the officials of the embassies and consular offices of its member countries. It rules out the need for legalising such documents, notably additional verification of the authenticity of a seal or stamp or the signatures of the officials in the Foreign Ministry of the country of stay.

In addition to the current bilateral conventions and consular treaties, the European Convention facilitates the unimpeded recognition of Russian documents in its member countries where about 1.5 million Russians currently live.

Thus, the following documents will be accepted without mutual legalisation if they are issued by the embassies and consular offices of the member countries both in the country of stay or in third countries: birth, death and marriage certificates, certificates of the lack of a criminal record or the facts of prosecution, and any obstacles to marriage certificates.

The European Convention entered into force on August 14, 1970. It was signed by the Russian Federation on January 22, 2016 and ratified on October 27, 2020.

The certificate on Convention ratification was deposited for safe-keeping with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe on December 8, 2020.

Apart from Russia, 24 countries are members of the convention, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Turkey, France and Sweden.

Let us note that under Article 7, after the entry into force of this Convention, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe may invite any State not a member of the Council of Europe to accede to this Convention.

Source: web-page of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia