Apostille and Sworn Translation of Estonian Company Documents

Banks, notaries and authorities outside Estonia often ask for an Estonian company's documents in English, certified and legalised. Estonia is a party to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention, so a public document certified with an apostille is accepted in every other party state without further legalisation. This guide explains which documents can be apostilled, when a sworn translation is needed, whether you need a company seal, and how the documents reach you.

The guide is general information, not legal advice. Whether a foreign bank or authority accepts a document is decided by that bank or authority; ask them which form they need before ordering.

Which documents can be apostilled

An apostille certifies the authenticity of the signature, the capacity of the signer and the seal on a public document. For an Estonian company the documents requested most often are:

the registry card or an extract from the commercial register;
the articles of association and the list of shareholders;
a notarial deed, for example a share transfer agreement or a power of attorney;
a certificate of good standing or of the company's management board.

In Estonia apostilles are issued by notaries. A private document — a contract signed by the parties — must first be notarised before it can be apostilled.

English documents and sworn translations

The commercial register issues extracts in Estonian; an English version of the registry data is available, but many foreign counterparties want a certified English document. Two routes exist:

English-language documents certified by a notary, then apostilled — the usual route for a ready-made or newly formed company. Two documents are usually asked for: the registry extract in English, notarised and apostilled (€550 — the same price with a ready-made or a new company or on its own), and the articles of association in English, notarised and apostilled (€300; also with a ready-made or a new company).
A sworn translation by an Estonian sworn translator (vandetõlk), which has the legal force of an official translation in Estonia. It is needed when an Estonian authority or court must receive a foreign document, or when a foreign authority asks for a translation of an Estonian document. Our sworn translation is priced €180 / page.

For an existing company we also arrange a single apostille (€150 / document) on a document you already have.

Does an Estonian company need a seal?

No. Estonian law does not require a company seal, and Estonian authorities never ask for one: documents are signed, most often digitally. Some banks and authorities in other countries still expect a seal next to the director's signature. For them we produce a company seal with the business name and registry code (€180; with a new company €180).

Getting the originals to you

Apostilled originals are paper documents. With a ready-made company we send them by tracked courier (€100), and with a new company likewise (€100). For an existing company, express courier abroad costs €100, and we can also receive and forward documents on your behalf (document handling, €90).

What you receive

the certified English documents or sworn translations, each with its apostille where ordered;
the company seal, if ordered;
tracked delivery of the originals to your address.

No VAT is added to the prices. The Estonian notary and apostille charges are included in these fixed prices. All communication takes place by email.

Ready to start? Apostilled English documents with a new or ready-made company, or an apostille or sworn translation for an existing one. Order.

To see which of our services your company needs, open the Business Navigator.

Frequently asked questions

Which Estonian company documents can be apostilled?

Public documents: the registry card or extract, the articles of association, notarial deeds such as a share transfer or a power of attorney, and certificates issued by the register. A private contract must first be notarised. In Estonia apostilles are issued by notaries.

Does an Estonian company need a company seal?

No. Estonian law does not require a seal and Estonian authorities never ask for one. Some foreign banks and authorities still expect a seal next to the director's signature; for them we produce a seal with the business name and registry code.

Do I need apostilled articles of association as well as the registry extract?

Many foreign banks and authorities ask for both: the registry extract shows the company's current data, the articles show its constitution. Ask the receiving party; the English, notarised and apostilled articles are a separate line, ordered on their own or with a company.

Apostille and sworn translation of Estonian company documents