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Legalisation of documents from Algeria for use in the Netherlands

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To use a document from Algeria in the Netherlands, you must first have it legalised by the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This is done with an apostille. This is a simplified form of legalisation which allows you to use your documents in the Netherlands.

Attention: If you want to use a Dutch document in Algeria, see Legalisation of Dutch documents for use abroad.

Good to know

  • Algeria has been a party to the Apostille Convention since 9 July 2026. If your document was legalised by the Algerian authorities before 9 July 2026, you can still have it legalised by the Dutch embassy in Algiers until 9 October 2026.
  • In Algeria official documents are issued in Arabic. You can get a French version of many documents for use abroad.
  • Documents in Arabic must be translated for use in the Netherlands.
  • Documents in French do not have to be translated for use in the Netherlands.
  • Your document must be original and complete. If it refers to other documents or annexes, these must be included.

Step 1: Having your document translated

If your document is in Arabic, you must have it translated into Dutch, English, French or German by a sworn translator.

Attention: Please note: in Algeria you can get a French version of many documents from the local authorities. Documents in French do not have to be translated.

  1. Have the document translated by a sworn translator.
  2. Have the original and the translation legalised with an apostille.

Go to step 2.

  1. Have the original document legalised with an apostille in Algeria (see step 2).
  2. Have the legalised document translated by a sworn translator in the Netherlands. You do not need to have the translation legalised. You can find a sworn translator on the Legal Aid Council website.

Step 2: Legalisation of your document

Have your document and, if applicable, the translation legalised with an apostille.

You can get an apostille from the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. See the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) website for contact details.

You can obtain an apostille for documents issued by the following Algerian ministries:

  • Ministry of the Interior, Local Authorities, and Transport
  • Ministry of Justice
  • Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research
  • Ministry of National Education
  • Ministry of Vocational Training and Education

Once your document has been legalised it is fit for use in the Netherlands.

It is then also fit for use in Aruba, Curaçao, St Maarten, Bonaire, Saba and St Eustatius.

As of 9 July 2026, Algeria is a party to the Apostille Convention. If your document was legalised by the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs before 9 July 2026, you must also have it legalised by the Dutch embassy in Algiers. A transition period of 3 months applies.

Have your document legalised by the Dutch embassy in Algiers before 9 October 2026.

How to make an appointment

To have a document legalised you need to make an appointment online.

How much does it cost?

The overview of consular fees tells you how much you will have to pay and which payment methods are accepted.

How long does it take?

  • If you are applying for the legalisation on Monday, you can collect your document on Wednesday. If you are applying on Wednesday, you can collect your document the following week on Monday.
  • The embassy does not send documents by post.
  • Documents can be collected on Mondays and Wednesdays between 09.00 and 11.30. You do not need to make an appointment, but first check which days the embassy is closed.

Once your document has been legalised it is fit for use in the Netherlands.

It is then also fit for use in Aruba, Curaçao, St Maarten, Bonaire, Saba and St Eustatius.

Don’t have the document you need?

Find out where to obtain a document that you need but do not yet have.

You can get an official copy (copie intégrale) of these documents from the civil status records office in the municipality where the event took place.

You can get a certificate of unmarried status from the civil status records office in the municipality where you live. You must appear in person together with 2 witnesses. Bring an official copy of your birth certificate and your family book.

Attention: For this document, the legalisation at the embassy can only be done by the person concerned. Or by a person with a power of attorney from the person concerned.

Find out from the Algerian authorities where you can get an official copy of a divorce certificate.

If you need to obtain another type of document, ask the local authorities where you can get this document.

After legalisation

Verification of your document in the Netherlands

Legalisation does not prove the authenticity of a document or the truthfulness of its content. A municipality in the Netherlands, the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) or another authority may decide to verify these things. Legalisation of your document simply means that your document bears the correct signature.

How recently must your document have been issued or legalised

Organisations have different requirements for how recently your document must have been issued and legalised. For more information, contact the organisation in the Netherlands requesting the document. For marriage certificates or birth certificates: when you obtained and or legalised one of these certificates is not important, as they remain valid once they have been legalised. 

Contact

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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