Please note, that legalisations or certifications of copies and signatures require an appointment booked beforehand over the online Appointment Booking System (“Terminvereinbarungssystem”) available on our Website.

1. Legalisation

 
The Representative Office of the Federal Republic of Germany in Ramallah can legalise official documents for use in Germany, that have been issued by the Palestinian Authorities.
 
Please note the following:

• Only original official documents can be legalised, neither plastinated original documents nor copies.
• Arabic-language documents must usually be presented together with a German translation or table of contents. Official documents issued in English do not require a translation. The Palestinian Ministry of Interior issues English-language birth and death certificates.
• All documents have to be pre-legalised by the superior competent authority (e.g. Ministry of Justice or Ministry of Health) as well as the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• The legalisation stamp of the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs must be completely filled out and readable. It is important, that the English-language stamp is applied and the filled out remarks are made in English (e.g. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs certifies the signature and seal of the Ministry of Health”).
• Only official documents required for use in Germany can be legalised. This must, in individual cases, be proven by relevant written requirements from a German authority, upon where the documents required are listed.                     
• The legalisation can be denied when there are doubts connected to the issued document itself or where the intent of use is not clear.
• Official documents that have not been issued by Palestinian Authorities cannot be legalised.
• The Representative Office cannot assist in obtaining original documents or  the pre-legalisation. Relatives, friends or attorneys can assist in this matter.
• A third party can apply for the legalisation.

Only documents concerning one person can be presented per appointment.

2. Certification of copies

 
It is possible to certify copies from Palestinian and German official documents. Both the original official document from which the copies have been made and the copies to be certified must  be presented. The certification of copies can be applied for by a third party.

Only documents concerning one person can be presented per appointment.

3. Certification of signatures

The Representative Office can officially certify signatures for use in legal transactions in Germany. The person whose signature is to be certified must be present during the appointment and must prove his or her identity with a valid passport. The use of a Palestinian ID-card as proof of identity is not possible.

When applying for certifcation of signatures concerning real estate transactions, one must present a power of attorney ("Vollmacht”) or declaration of approval (“Genehmigungserklärung”), as well as the relevant real estate contract (“Grundstücksvertrag”).

The fees are:
 
• Legalisation of civic status documents (Birth, marriage, divorce and death certificates) 25,00 Euro,
• Legalisation of other official documents (e.g. extract of criminal justice register, university degree) 45,00 Euro,
• Certification of copies in Latin print: 10 Euro for a document not exceeding ten pages, every extra page costs 1 Euro,
• Certification of copies in non-Latin print: 15 Euro for up to ten page document, every extra page 1,50 Euro
• Certification of signatures: flexible according to value, minimum charge 20,00 Euro
• Exemption from fees are possible, e.g. for applications for university studies.

All fees are payable in shekels (NIS) and cash only, according to a conversion rate determined daily.

Disclaimer: all information provided in this leaflet relies on information provided at the time of writing.