Does Apostille Assist issue apostilles?
No. Apostille Assist does not issue apostilles. Apostilles are issued by competent authorities. Apostille Assist helps with the document route around that official step, including submission coordination where relevant.
The official apostille is issued by a competent authority
An apostille is an official certificate. It is not issued by Apostille Assist. Depending on the type of document and the country involved, an apostille is issued by the relevant competent authority through the official route.
Apostille Assist helps with the practical document route around that official step. This can include checking whether a document appears suitable for apostille handling, identifying whether additional steps may be needed, and coordinating the process when the route is clear.
Apostille Assist does not replace the competent authority. The service is focused on guidance, route assessment, submission coordination, and document coordination for Dutch documents intended for use abroad.
What Apostille Assist can do
Many clients do not only need “a stamp”. They need to know whether the document is suitable, whether the apostille route is correct, and whether translation, notarisation, legalisation, or another preparation step may be needed first.
Used when the required route is unclear or the document still needs to be requested, prepared, translated, or reviewed.
Used when the document is already suitable and the next step is to coordinate the apostille submission route.
Used when several steps or third parties may be involved, such as translation, courier handling, or document preparation.
Useful for Dutch documents needed by foreign authorities, universities, employers, banks, notaries, or immigration offices.
Why this distinction matters
If a service suggests that it “issues” apostilles, that can create confusion. The official apostille step belongs to the competent authority. The value of Apostille Assist is in helping clients avoid the wrong route and making the process easier to manage.
Common situations where coordination helps
- ✓The document is not yet requested or prepared.
- ✓The receiving authority abroad has given unclear instructions.
- ✓The client knows an apostille is required, but not whether the document is suitable.
- ✓A translation, notarial step, or courier step may be needed.
- ✓The matter is urgent and several steps need to be coordinated quickly.
Prepared document or unclear route?
If your Dutch document is already correctly prepared and the route is clear, Apostille Assist may be able to help coordinate the apostille submission. If the route is not yet clear, the Document Route Check is usually the better first step.
This helps avoid starting in the wrong place. For example, a document may first need to be requested in a different form, translated by a sworn translator, notarised, or checked against the requirements of the receiving authority.
If you know exactly what document you have and what the receiving authority requires, apostille submission may be the next step. If you are unsure, start with a route check before handling begins.
Not sure which document route applies?
Start with the Document Route Check and get more clarity on whether your Dutch document is ready for apostille submission or whether another step may be needed first.
Start Document Route Check →
Independent document coordination for Dutch documents that may require apostille, legalisation, translation, review, or international use.
