Legalising a Dutch diploma or certificate

If you want to work or study abroad, your future employer or educational institution may ask you for a legalised diploma. Legalisation shows that your Dutch diploma is genuine and recognised. How you have the document legalised depends on where you want to use the qualification.

What is legalisation?

If you want to use your diploma or certificate abroad, you need to have it legalised. This is done with a stamp or sticker. You can then use the certificate in another country. You can also legalise other educational documents, for example a list of grades, a certificate or a proof of enrolment.

Criteria

For a diploma to be legalised:

it must be original and complete
it must be signed by a representative of the school or university
it must be printed on the original paper of the educational institution
the educational institution and the study programme must be recognised and accredited by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science

Your diploma must also be recorded in the DUO diploma register, which contains data on diplomas awarded by most study programmes in the Netherlands. Check via Mijn DUO to find out whether your diploma is in the DUO diploma register. You will need the DigiD app, DigiD with SMS verification or an EU-approved login key.

If your diploma is not in the DUO register or you cannot log in

If your diploma is not in the diploma register or you cannot log in to Mijn DUO, contact DUO via ks.dw@duo.nl or call +31 50 599 80 36.

How do I get my diploma legalised?

Ask your Dutch educational institution where to have your diploma legalised. In most cases, DUO is the starting point for legalisation. You can do this at any DUO service desk in the Netherlands or by registered post. You will have to pay a fee. Go to the DUO website to find out more about legalisation of documents by DUO.
Next you need to finalise the legalisation. How you do this depends on whether the country where you want to use your diploma is a member of the Apostille Convention.

Find out which countries are members of the Apostille Convention

If you want to use your diploma in a country that is a member of the Apostille Convention, you can apply for a stamp or sticker called an ‘apostille’. You can apply for an apostille from any district court in the Netherlands. You will have to pay a fee. Ask the foreign country’s embassy or consulate in the Netherlands whether you also need to provide a translation of your diploma.
If you want to use your diploma in a country that is not a member of the Apostille Convention, you must have it legalised at the Consular Service Centre (CDC) in The Hague. You will have to pay a fee. After this, have your document legalised by the country you want to use it in. The foreign country’s embassy or consulate in the Netherlands can tell you how this works.

Translation of your diploma

Do you need a translation of your diploma for legalisation? Then you need to get it translated by a sworn translator. The Register of Sworn Interpreters and Translators (information in Dutch) has a list of all the sworn translators in the Netherlands.

Lost or damaged educational documents

If your qualification meets the requirements but your diploma or certificate is damaged or lost, it may still be possible to get a duplicate and have it legalised.

Find out more about what to do if your diploma is lost or damaged

Contact

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