Denmark
Apostille in Denmark
At a glance
Who issues apostilles in Denmark, and what does it cost?
| Uses apostilles? | Uses apostilles1 |
|---|---|
| Member since | 1 |
| How it joined | Ratified (signed and confirmed), 1 |
| Who issues apostilles | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, Legalisation Office (Udenrigsministeriets Legaliseringskontor), danish documents issued by a Danish public authority2 |
| Fee | DKK 250 (per document)2checked 18 October 2026 Not published by the office (return postage, bought separately in the ministry webshop or from the postal operator DAO)2checked 18 October 2026 About €33.45 for the first fee listed, at the European Central Bank reference rate of 16 October 2026. Compare costs |
| Processing time | 5 to 7 working days for documents received by post or courier, possibly longer in busy periods; documents handed in in person are legalised straight away2checked 18 October 2026 |
| Electronic apostille | Available2 |
| Documents covered | 3 kinds of document listed by the office |
| What the receiving side decides | Whether it accepts the document: for example how recent it must be and whether it needs a translation. |
| Last checked |
Step by step
How to get an apostille in Denmark
Buy the apostille in the ministry's webshop before handing in or sending the document; it costs 250 DKK per document, and the receipt is emailed to you.2
For a document received in Digital Post from a Danish authority, forward it from Digital Post to the Legalisation Office with the purchase or legalisation number in the subject line.2
For a document with a digital signature, upload it during the webshop purchase to receive an e-Apostille.2
For a document with a handwritten signature, hand it in in person or send it by post or courier; scans, copies and printouts of paper originals are not accepted.2
The office at Asiatisk Plads 2, Copenhagen, is open for personal service on weekdays from 9:00 to 12:00 and on Tuesday and Thursday from 13:30 to 15:30, and appointments cannot be booked.3
Arrange the return post or courier yourself, for example by buying return postage in the webshop.2
Documents
Common documents
As listed by the office:
Contacts
Who to contact in Denmark
- Apostille officeMinistry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, Legalisation Office (Udenrigsministeriets Legaliseringskontor)2Danish documents issued by a Danish public authority
- The office that will receive your documentAsk it before you start what it needs: an apostille, a translation, or a document issued recently.
Common situations
Using a document from or in Denmark
A document issued in Denmark
The apostille comes from Denmark, from the office named above. It works in any other country where the Convention applies with Denmark.
Check where it can be usedA document for use in Denmark
Get the apostille in the country that issued the document, not in Denmark. Denmark accepts it if that country is also a member and the Convention applies between the two.
Check your countryGood to know
Good to know
Note: Rule
Danish embassies and consulates abroad cannot add an apostille; only the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Denmark can.4
Note: Rule
Handwritten documents are not accepted; the document must have been produced on a computer.2
Note: Rule
Documents forwarded from Digital Post are printed and get a paper apostille, so they cannot be sent back to you digitally.2
Note: Rule
E-Apostilles are not signed by the issuing Danish authority or by the Legalisation Office, and the ministry refers applicants to the receiving authority about whether it accepts them.2
Note: Rule
With more than 7 documents, the office says same-day legalisation may not be possible.2
Note: Rule
Documents that are not collected or cannot be returned because return postage is missing are shredded three months after they arrive.2
Note: Rule
Certain export documents are not covered by the Apostille Convention; they get a free ordinary legalisation stamp instead of an apostille.5
Note: Rule
The ministry may refuse a document if it cannot be shown beyond reasonable doubt that it is Danish or if it may fall outside the Apostille Convention.2
Before the apostille
Private documents
A private document, such as a power of attorney or a contract, is first signed in front of a notary public, and the apostille then goes on the notary’s certificate. A copy of a public document from another country is first certified by a notary public, then apostilled.
An apostille only confirms the signature, the role of the person who signed and any seal or stamp on the document. It does not confirm what the document says. The office that receives the document decides what it accepts.
Questions
Questions about apostilles in Denmark
Does Denmark accept apostilles?
Yes. Denmark has been a member of the Apostille Convention since 29 December 2006, so it issues and accepts apostilles for documents exchanged with other member countries.
Who issues apostilles in Denmark?
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, Legalisation Office (Udenrigsministeriets Legaliseringskontor) (danish documents issued by a Danish public authority).
How much does an apostille cost in Denmark?
DKK 250 (per document). Not published by the office (return postage, bought separately in the ministry webshop or from the postal operator DAO). Fees can change, so check the office’s own page before you apply.
How long does an apostille take in Denmark?
The office says: 5 to 7 working days for documents received by post or courier, possibly longer in busy periods; documents handed in in person are legalised straight away.
Do I need to notarise a private document first?
Yes. A private document, such as a power of attorney or a contract, is first signed in front of a notary public. The apostille is then added to the notary’s certificate, not to the private document itself.
Is an apostille valid in countries that are not Convention members?
No. An apostille only works in other member countries. Countries outside the Convention use a different process, usually called legalisation. The office that receives your document decides what it accepts.
Sources and verification
Sources
- HCCH status table: Apostille Convention (1961)
- Legalisering af danske dokumenter
- Legalisering/Apostille
- Legalisering og apostillekonventionen
- Udenrigsministeriet - Webshop
- Status
- Last verified: (18 October 2026)
- How it was checked
- Checked by our team against the sources above
- Next review
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