If you need to have a translation legalised, we have outlined the general process below. However, keep in mind that the rules surrounding the legalisation of translations can be quite complex and subject to change, so we always recommend that you check the specific requirements for your situation. Additionally, the translation must first be certified, which you can read about here. 

Step 1: Notary or the Danish Chamber of Commerce

If you need a certified translation to be legalised, the first step is to have the translator’s certification verified by a notary or the Danish Chamber of Commerce.

If you choose to go to a notary, the translator must sign the translation in the presence of the notary. Alternatively, if you opt for the Danish Chamber of Commerce, the client can take the translator’s certified and signed translation to the Chamber, where they will verify the translator’s certification.

In some cases, this step alone may suffice, depending on the intended use of the translation. However, in other cases — typically if, for instance, the translation is needed for foreign legal proceedings — it must also be legalised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. More details are provided below.

For more information about notaries at the Copenhagen City Court, click here (in Danish only).

For details about legalisation with the Danish Chamber of Commerce, click here (in Danish only).

Step 2: Legalisation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Generally

Danish government documents must always be legalised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs when included in a translation that requires legalisation. This means that documents such as birth certificates, tax statements, divorce papers, death certificates and the like must have a digital or wet signature in order to be legalised. Corporate documents such as bank statements, employment contracts, etc., cannot be legalised.

Government documents must bear a digital or wet signature before the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can legalise the translation. This applies even if the document or translation has been notarised. The Ministry does not accept copies of signatures.

Legalisation is typically done with an Apostille stamp, provided that the recipient country is a signatory to the Apostille Convention (most countries are, but not all).

For more information on legalisation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, visit their Legalisation Office here.