Are you moving abroad and need to get your documents apostilled?
BE CAREFUL: Apostille = new rule! đź”·
🚨 New apostille procedure in France: first impressions post-reform
since May 1, 2025, France has rolled out a new apostille process.
The responsibility has shifted from the courts of appeal to 15 regional councils and interdepartmental notary chambers.
The goal? Simplify and decentralize.
But how’s it going so far?
Let’s take a look 👇
🔍 Quick refresher: What’s an apostille?
It’s an official certification that validates the authenticity of a public document for international use under the Hague Apostille Convention. Think birth certificates, diplomas, notarial deeds — essential for job applications, visas, or studies abroad 🌍.
✅ What’s working well:
• More flexibility – You can now send documents to any center, regardless of where they were signed.
• Faster digital delivery – Most apostilles are now emailed quickly, a major upgrade from the old paper-only system.
⚠️ What still needs work:
• Slow postal delivery – The physical apostille can take over a month to arrive, which is tough for urgent cases.
• Tracking glitches – In some cases, tracking numbers don’t work, forcing applicants to resubmit and wait longer.
🧩 Bottom line:
The reform is a promising step toward simplification, but early feedback shows there’s room for improvement — especially in logistics and tech. Let’s hope the system continues to evolve and deliver on its full potential.
