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More apostilles and authentications for documents abroad
The Darmstadt Regional Council is increasingly certifying public documents and certificates for submission abroad. According to the Regional Council, the number of certifications rose from approximately 11,000 in 2024 to over 12,000 in 2025.
Last year, the team for international document exchange issued nearly 10,000 apostilles. The apostille process allows a document to be recognized abroad without requiring the embassy of the destination country to re-examine the documents. Regional President Prof. Dr. Jan Hilligardt emphasizes that the Regional Council is thus providing an important service to the citizens of the administrative district.
Apostille replaces legalization procedure
The basis for the apostille procedure is the Hague Convention of 1961. Around 110 states have acceded to the convention and waive the otherwise standard legalization procedure. For countries that are not party to the agreement, the Regional Council (RP) in the Darmstadt administrative district authenticates public documents issued by the country – such as birth and marriage certificates, as well as certificates of residence and registration. However, subsequent confirmation by the respective foreign mission in Germany is also required. In southern Hesse alone, around 3,000 such authentications were carried out in 2025.
Among the most common reasons for needing certified documents are passport applications for children of foreign parents, certificates of residence to avoid double taxation, and marriages. Certified documents are also regularly required for school, university, or work abroad. The Regional Council recommends clarifying early on which documents are required in the destination country.
Possible in person or by post
For every certification, the Regional Council verifies the authenticity of the signature and the authorization of the issuing person. In addition to private individuals, companies also benefit from this service. For example, in 2025, the Regional Council certified the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) of pharmaceuticals produced in Hesse for export almost 1,000 times.
Documents – if required with prior authentication – can be submitted in person to the Regional Council (RP) on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. without an appointment. They are usually returned after a short wait. Alternatively, they can be sent by mail to the Regional Council Darmstadt, Department II 21 – Authentication Office, 64278 Darmstadt, Germany. The destination country and complete contact information must be included.
The application form is available online at:
rp-darmstadt.hessen.de
The fee for the authentication of a document is 25 euros.
Further information on international document exchange is available on the website of the Regional Council under the keyword "Certifications". Information can be obtained by telephone on Mondays and Thursdays from 2 pm to 4 pm at +49 6151 / 12-5302 or by email at internationaler-urkundenverkehr@rpda.hessen.de .
(DARMSTADT – RED/PM/RPDA)
