A double apostille means that an apostille is stamped not only on the document itself, but also on the translation of this document. In this case, the apostille on the document confirms the correspondence of its content to reality, and the apostille on the translation is a confirmation of correctness of this translation. This eliminates any doubts of the party receiving the document about the correct understanding of the information provided in the document.

Availability of a double apostille is not prescribed by the terms of the Hague Convention, but is not contrary to them. Each country decides on its own, translations of which documents need to be additionally confirmed with an apostille.

State authorities have the right to refuse to stamp an apostille on documents stipulated by the Convention. The following factors may serve as grounds for such a refusal:

• the document is signed or completed in pencil;
• the text of the document is illegible due to damage;
• the responsible authority does not have a specimen signature of the authorized person;
• there are officially unconfirmed corrections or additions on the document;
• the responsible authority does not have a sample of the stamp or seal of the relevant institution;
• the apostille is stamped to submit the document in a country that is not a party to the Convention.

Apostilization may also be refused due to the lack of payment of the fee for apostilization and the corresponding state fee, if more than three months passed from the date of application for apostille.

First, decide whether you really need an apostille for documents. The fact is that the apostille is not stamped on all papers. There is a list of official documents that can be apostilization. Everything that is not included in this list may not be certified by apostille.

Another important point is the state, where apostilled documents will be used. The 1961 Hague Convention, which stipulated the use of the apostille, has been joined by most countries of the world. But not all countries. It may turn out that the apostille is not valid in the country you have chosen. And accordingly your documents will not have legal force even if they are stamped with apostille.

The apostille serves as an international standard of legalization of official documents in the member states of the Hague Convention of 1961 and in countries that joined this Convention later. Today, this Convention unites almost all EU states, including Romania, as well as the U.S., Russia, Ukraine and many other countries. The Republic of Moldova is also included in the list of states where the terms of the Hague Convention are in force.

In the event that the certificate of no criminal record is submitted in the issuing country, there is no need for an apostille. But abroad, the content of this document will be recognized provided only it is apostilled.

Some countries conclude bilateral interstate agreements on mutual recognition of documents. If such an agreement is in force between the country that issued the document and the country where this document is submitted, no apostille is needed. However, such agreements may not be fully operational in practice. An illustrative example here is the situation between Moldova and Romania, when applicants for Romanian citizenship must confirm their documents with an apostille, despite the earlier concluded interstate agreement on mutual recognition of documents.