Using documents from Germany in Qatar
Qatar is not a party to the Apostille Convention, so documents issued in Germany generally need consular legalization before Qatari authorities accept them. Even though Germany issues apostilles, an apostille alone is not sufficient for Qatar. A typical route is:
- Issuing authority / notaryCertification by the issuing authority or a notary in Germany, where required.
- Foreign ministryAuthentication by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or designated authority of Germany.
- Embassy of QatarLegalization by the Embassy or Consulate of the State of Qatar accredited to Germany.
- MOFA QatarAttestation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Qatar.
- TranslationCertified translation into Arabic by our native translators.
The exact steps depend on the document type and the authority that issued it. We confirm them before we start, so there are no surprises.
Using Qatari documents in Germany
Qatar cannot issue apostilles. Qatari documents are generally attested by Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and then legalized by the Embassy of Germany accredited to Qatar before use in Germany. A certified translation into German or another accepted language is usually required.
Apostille status of Germany
Germany is a contracting party to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention. Documents issued in Germany for use in another member country only need an apostille from the competent authority in Germany – which we can obtain for you through our international network.
Translation for Germany
Our native translators work in German, as well as Arabic and English, and certify translations for authorities in Qatar and Germany.
Documents we commonly handle
- Birth, marriage and divorce certificates
- Degrees, diplomas and transcripts
- Police clearance certificates
- Powers of attorney and affidavits
- Company documents, commercial registrations and invoices
- Medical reports and professional licences
Related services
Embassy & Consulate Legalization
Consular legalization of documents by embassies and consulates, for countries that do not accept the apostille or require an extra embassy stamp.
MOFA Attestation in Qatar
Attestation by Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs for documents issued in Qatar or legalized abroad, with the full chain handled for you.
Certified Translation
Official translations of personal, legal, academic and corporate documents, stamped and certified for ministries, courts, embassies and universities.
Document Retrieval
We obtain official records on your behalf – from Qatar or abroad – and deliver them translated and legalized.
Frequently asked questions
Does Qatar accept apostilles from Germany?
No. Qatar is not a party to the Apostille Convention, so documents from Germany for use in Qatar need to be legalized by the Embassy of Qatar and attested by Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
How long does legalization of documents from Germany take?
It depends on the document, the authorities involved and embassy processing times. We give you an estimate together with your quote and keep you informed at every step.
Can you retrieve documents from Germany for me?
In many cases, yes. With your authorization our international network can request documents from authorities in Germany, legalize them and deliver them to you in Qatar.