Legal Documentation and Approval Process

What to consider during apostillation:

• Apostil should be conducted in the same country where the marriage was registered. For instance, if a couple got married in India and the marriage certificate is issued by Indian authorities, the apostil should be done in India.
• Refer to the important link for apostil services worldwide: Apostil Services Worldwide. This link provides information on apostil member countries, responsible authorities, and contact details for apostil services.
• Apostil must be done directly on the original document without involving a notary. Notarizing the document before apostillation renders it unacceptable to legal authorities.
• After receiving the apostilled documents, your program manager must verify with the legal team/notary representative that apostilles are correctly made on the original. This confirmation is crucial before informing the intended parents that the document is perfect and accepted.
• Marriage certificates do not need translation into English before apostillation; they receive a direct apostil without translation.
• For languages in the marriage certificate that are less common (e.g., Hungarian, Serbian, Thai), check with the legal team/notary representative to determine if a local translator is available or if translation into English is required before apostillation.

Regarding countries not yet members of the Hague Convention on Apostils:

• In countries not yet members of apostil countries, double legalization of documents is required. The original document and the marriage certificate are first legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country where the marriage is registered.
• Once approved by the legal team/notary representative, instructions are given to the intended parents to send/deliver the legalized documents to the embassy of Georgia in the country where legalization is issued. The Georgian embassy affixes a stamp affirming that the document was legalized.
• After obtaining the double legalized document, your program manager sends scanned copies to the legal team/notary representative for final confirmation. Only after this approval do we inform the intended parents that the document is ready for legal purposes in Georgia.

Considerations for name changes after marriage (primarily for the female part):

• If the intended mother changed her surname after marriage and the marriage certificate mentions both surnames (indicating the move to the husband’s surname), no additional document is required.
• If the lady changed her surname after marriage and this is not mentioned in the marriage certificate, a name change document is needed. Different countries have different authorities approving name changes, and program managers provide information based on experience about the relevant authorities.
• The name change document must be apostilled or legalized in the original (without notarization or translation), and the program manager involves the legal/notary team for approval before giving final confirmation.

Proving Relationship Status: Legal Documentation Guidance

For intended parents who use alternative documents to a marriage certificate to prove their relationship of over a year, the preparation of legal documents can vary. Your assigned program manager will instruct you on which documents can be used to prove co-living, send relevant samples, and share the experiences of previous couples. They will guide you on the specific legal preparations required for each type of document. 

Depending on the document, different wording may apply during notarization to ensure it is legally suitable, and our team is always on standby to provide the most accurate guidance. This meticulous process helps streamline your legal documentation, allowing you to focus on your journey to parenthood with confidence and ease.