Rwanda
Apostille in Rwanda
At a glance
Does Rwanda use apostilles?
| Uses apostilles? | Uses apostilles1 |
|---|---|
| Member since | 1 |
| How it joined | Joined later (accession), 1 |
| Who issues apostilles | Offices designated by Rwanda: see the list on the HCCH website |
| 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 Rwanda
- Make sure the country where the document will be used also uses apostilles. The checker on this site shows this.
- Use an original public document. A private document, such as a power of attorney, is first signed in front of a notary public.
- Ask an office that Rwanda has designated for the apostille. The Hague Conference lists these offices with contact details.
- Check with the office that will receive the document whether it needs anything else, such as a translation.
These are the general steps that apply in every member country. See how apostilles work.
Contacts
Who to contact in Rwanda
- Apostille officesOffices designated by Rwanda, with addresses (HCCH list)
- 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 Rwanda
A document issued in Rwanda
The apostille comes from Rwanda, from an office Rwanda has designated (see the HCCH list above). It works in any other country where the Convention applies with Rwanda.
Check where it can be usedA document for use in Rwanda
Get the apostille in the country that issued the document, not in Rwanda. Rwanda accepts it if that country is also a member and the Convention applies between the two.
Check your countryGood to know
Good to know
Caution: Not every country accepts it
When Rwanda joined, other member countries could object. Between Rwanda and an objecting country the Convention does not apply. Check HCCH for the specific pair of countries.1
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 Rwanda
Does Rwanda accept apostilles?
Yes. Rwanda has been a member of the Apostille Convention since 5 June 2024, so it issues and accepts apostilles for documents exchanged with other member countries.
Who issues apostilles in Rwanda?
The offices that Rwanda has designated. The Hague Conference lists them, with contact details, on its website. The apostille is always issued in the country the document comes from.
How do I get an apostille in Rwanda?
Use an original public document, or have a private document signed in front of a notary public first. Then ask the designated office in Rwanda for the apostille, and check with the office that will receive the document what else it needs.
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. It only works in other member countries where the Convention applies with Rwanda. When Rwanda joined, other members could object, so check the specific pair of countries. Countries outside the Convention use legalisation.
Sources and verification
Sources
- Status
- Last verified: (18 October 2026)
- How it was checked
- Copied from the HCCH status table
- Next review
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