In short:
- Saudi Arabia acceded to the Hague Apostille Convention on 8 April 2022, and it entered into force for the Kingdom on 7 December 2022.
- An apostille confirms the signature and seal on a public document. It does not translate it.
- Certified translation is a separate step, and the receiving authority decides whether, and when, it is needed.
- For countries outside the Convention, traditional legalisation is still the usual route.
Since late 2022, something important has changed in how Saudi documents are used abroad and how foreign documents are accepted inside the Kingdom: the apostille in Saudi Arabia became available after the Kingdom joined the Hague Convention. Even so, many people still confuse the apostille, attestation and certified translation, and assume one replaces the others. This guide explains what changed, what did not, and where translation fits in.
What is the Apostille Convention?
The 1961 Hague Convention simplifies the circulation of public documents between member states. Before it, a document went through a chain of legalisations: the issuing body, the foreign ministry of the issuing country, then the embassy or consulate of the country where it would be used. The Convention replaces that chain with a single certificate, the “apostille”, issued by the competent authority in the country of origin and accepted by other members without further consular legalisation.
When did Saudi Arabia join?
According to the status table published by the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH), Saudi Arabia acceded on 8 April 2022 and the Convention entered into force for it on 7 December 2022. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides the apostille service through its online ratification portal.
What an apostille does, and what it does not
An apostille confirms, in general terms, the authenticity of the signature, the capacity of the person who signed and, where relevant, the seal. It does not:
- Translate the document: an Arabic document going to a country that does not read Arabic will usually still need a translation.
- Vouch for the content: it verifies the source, not the information written on the page.
- Oblige the receiving body to accept the document: each authority keeps its own rules on format, validity and translation.
Where certified translation fits
This is the practical question most of our clients care about. There is no single order for everyone, but these are the most common scenarios.
Translating after the apostille
You obtain the apostille on the Arabic document, then have the document and the apostille certificate translated together. The receiving body can then read both in its own language.
The foreign authority chooses the translator
Some countries or institutions only accept translations by their own sworn translators or translators on their list. In that case you may not need a translation from Saudi Arabia at all, or only for internal use. Ask before you order anything.
A foreign apostilled document used in Saudi Arabia
If you receive a document from a member state with an apostille and want to submit it to a Saudi authority, that authority will usually ask for a certified Arabic translation. We translate the document and its apostille certificate together.
A worked example: a degree for a university abroad
Say a university in a member state asks for your Saudi degree with a translation. A typical path might be: read the university’s requirements carefully; complete any Saudi-side steps, such as an education authority attestation, if required; obtain the apostille through MOFA’s official channels; then order a certified translation of the degree and the apostille together, using the name spelling from your passport. This is only an illustration; steps vary by country, institution and document type.
What about non-member countries?
Not every country is a member. If your document is going to a non-member state, the usual route is traditional legalisation through MOFA and then that country’s embassy or consulate. You can check the member list on the HCCH website and the destination’s requirements with its embassy. For more on the traditional route, read our guide to MOFA attestation in Saudi Arabia.
Mistakes we often see
- Assuming the apostille is enough on its own, then discovering the authority also wants a translation.
- Translating the document but not the apostille, so the translation looks incomplete.
- Not checking membership, and requesting an apostille for a country that does not recognise it, or the reverse.
- Relying on someone else’s experience: requirements differ by country and institution and change over time.
How we can help
We issue certified translations that are stamped, signed and checked by a second translator, covering the whole document including stamps and any apostille certificate. We work with almost any language, including African languages, and can sign a non-disclosure agreement for sensitive files.
Send photos on WhatsApp to +966569442222 at any time and tell us the destination country and authority. You get a quote and delivery time before you confirm, then a stamped e-copy on WhatsApp plus a printed copy. See our legal translation services and our Riyadh office page. Almadani Translation has been licensed since 1982 (licence No. 64, dated 19 February 1983) and has served more than 20,000 clients.
FAQ
Does an apostille replace translation?
No. The apostille confirms the signature and seal; the translation makes the document readable for the receiving body. You may need both.
Do you issue apostilles?
No. Apostilles are issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through its official channels. We issue the certified translation only.
Do you translate the apostille certificate itself?
Yes. We translate the full document, including the apostille and stamps, when the receiving authority requires it.
How do I know if a country is a member?
Check the member list on the HCCH website or ask the destination country’s embassy.
Can I order from outside Riyadh?
Yes. Order on WhatsApp from anywhere in the Kingdom and receive the stamped e-copy; we will agree with you on collecting the printed copy.
Note: This article is general information, not legal advice. Apostille and attestation procedures change, and the receiving authority decides whether it accepts a translation and in what form. Always check the official MOFA website.
Written by the Almadani Translation Team · Information last reviewed: October 2026