# FAQs: Attesting Albania Documents > Frequently asked questions about obtaining Apostille in Albania and to legalize Albania documents for use in other countries - birth certificates, marriage certificates, criminal record certificates, academic documents and more. **Source** [Albania](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/Albania-attestation-FAQs)> **Related:** [Apostille Albania Documents for international use](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/Albania-Legalization-Services) · [Apostille Albania Birth, Death and Marriage Certificates](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/Albania-attest-birth-marriage-certificates) · [Apostille Albania Certificates of Criminal Status](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/Albania-attest-background-checks) · [Get a Quotation](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/Document-Attestation-Inquiry) --- ## General Questions ### Can Albania documents be legalized by Apostille? Yes - Albania is a member of the Apostille Convention. Albania documents can be legalized for use abroad with an Apostille Stamp from the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs when destined for other signatory countries without additional certification by the destination country. When Albanian documents are required for non-apostille countries, such as United Arab Emirates - Qatar - Thailand - Taiwan - Vietnam they need additional authentication by the embassy of the destination country.For more information about Albanian Apostille Stamps, see: [Albania Apostille Services](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/Albania-Legalization-Services) ### What types of documents can be legalized in Albania for use abroad? Official documents that can be legalized in Albania with Apostille stamps or through embassy attestation include: - Birth certificates (Certifikate Lindje, death certificates (Certifikate Vdekje and marriage certificates (Certifikate Martese). - Certificates of marital status (certifikate personale) - Divorce judgements - Company extracts from the commercial registries - Certificates of Criminal Status / Judicial Record Criminal Record (Certifikatë e Gjendjes Gjyqëso). - University degrees and other academic documents - Private documents (including power of attorney) certified by an Albanian notary - To confirm whether your document is eligible for apostille authentication in Albania, please [Contact Isarey](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/contact-Isarey) and Isarey’ll check your document free of charge. For further information about Isarey's Albania apostille services and for assistance obtaining official copies of Albania documents, see: [Albania Apostille Services](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/Albania-Legalization-Services) ### How long does it take to obtain an apostille on a document in Albania? Albanian Apostilles can normally be obtained in **1 - 2 business days** (Albanian Apostille stamps can be obtained from the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs in Tirana in 1-2 business days. NOTE: All processing times are estimated. Actual processing time is dependant on the authentication authority and is subject to change without prior notice.) ### Where can I see reviews of Isarey's Albania Attestation and Apostille Services? You can see reviews from past clients who have used Isarey's attestation and apostille services: - [ISAREY reviews on Trustpilot](https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/isarey-document-attestation.com) - [ISAREY reviews on Google](https://goo.gl/maps/cuvbEYN25Xg5b8jg7) ### How can I legalize Albania documents for use in the United Arab Emirates? Albanian documents required for submission to the United Arab Emirates are first legalized in Albania by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, and then attested by the UAE embassy in Athens. ### How can I legalize Albania documents for use in Qatar? Albanian documents required for submission to Qatar s are first legalized in Albania by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, and then attested by the Qatari embassy in Tirana. ### Who issues apostilles in Albania? Albanian Apostille Stamps are issued by the Office of Authentications of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Drejtoria Konsullore, Zyra e Legalizimeve, Ministria e Puneve te Jashtme). - [Albanian Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs](https://punetejashtme.gov.al/en/adresa-kontakti/) - [Albania - Competent Authority (Apostille Convention)](https://www.hcch.net/en/states/authorities/details3/?aid=305) ### What is an Albania Apostille Stamp and why would I need one? A Albania Apostille is a certificate that is affixed to a public document. It certifies the authenticity of the signature appearing on the document as that of an authorized public official in Albania and confirms the capacity of that official. Albania Apostille stamps are often required when submitting an Albania document, such as a birth certificate, to the authorities of a foreign country or to a foreign embassy in Albania (for example, as part of a visa or citizenship application). Apostilles are recognised by the authorities and embassies of countries that are members of the [Hague Apostille Convention](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostille_Convention) For more information on Apostilles, see: [The ABCs of Apostilles (PDF)](https://assets.hcch.net/upload/abc12e.pdf) ### What is document legalization in Albania? Document legalization (or attestation) is a procedure which authenticates a public Albania document so that it can be submitted in another country for official or legal purposes - for example, if you need to submit an Albania birth certificate to the authority or embassy of another country, it will often need to be legalized. Legalizing a document in Albania certifies the authenticity of the signature appearing on the document as that of an authorized public official in Albania and confirms the capacity of that official. - Because Albania is a member of the Apostille Convention, Albania documents can be legalized by means of an Apostille Stamp when being submitted to countries that are also members of the [Hague Apostille Convention](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostille_Convention) - If an Albania document is required for a country that is not a member of the Apostille Convention, it will need to be legalized both by Albania authorities and by the embassy of the recipient country (embassy in Albania or non-resident embassy accredited to Albania). See: [Document legalization - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Document_legalization) ### What services does Isarey Certification Services provide in Albania? Isarey Certification Services provides a range of services in Albania including Apostille and legalization services, notarization services, certified translation services and document retrieval services. ### What do Albania Apostilles and legalizations look like? Albania Apostilles follow the standard format laid down in the Apostille Convention. Some examples of Albania documents certified with Apostille stamps: - [Albania Marriage Certificate with Apostille stamp](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/dc/Albania-marriage-certificate-Apostille-stamp) See [What does an Apostille look like?](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/FAQs-Document-Attestation#faq_236_s) ## Birth, death and marriage certificates ### How can I obtain a copy of an Albania birth, marriage or death certificate? Albanian marriage, death and birth certificates can be obtained online through the [e-Albania](https://e-albania.al/) government portal. Certificates are issued digitally with electronic signature and are provided immediately (births, deaths and marriages occurring after 2010) or in 3 working days (births, deaths and marriages occurring before 2010). - [Birth certificates (digital certificates)](https://e-albania.al/eAlbaniaServices/UseService.aspx?service_code=11176) - [Marriage Certificate (for use by foreign authorities)](https://e-albania.al/eAlbaniaServices/UseService.aspx?service_code=14937) - [Death Certificate (for use by foreign authorities)](https://e-albania.al/eAlbaniaServices/UseService.aspx?service_code=14943) - Paper copies of birth certificates can be ordered online from outside Albania and sent by post, or obtained in Albania from the municipal civil status office (gjendja civile) where the person is registered. - [Birth certificates (paper certificates)](https://e-albania.al/eAlbaniaServices/UseService.aspx?service_code=9777) ### How can I obtain an apostille for an Albania birth, death or marriage certificate? Apostilles to authenticate Albanian birth, marriage and death certificates can be obtained from the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. Apostilles can be obtained for paper certificates and digital certificates with the electronic seal of the General Directorate of Civil Status. For further information, see: [Albania birth, death and marriage certificates](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/Albania-attest-birth-marriage-certificates) ### I need an apostille for my Albania birth, death or marriage certificate - do I need to provide an original certificate? An original paper certificate is required, or a digital certificate with electronic seal of the General Directorate of Civil Status. ## Criminal record certificates ### Do Albania Criminal Record Certificates have an expiry? Albanian criminal record certificates are valid for 3 months from the date of issue. ### How can I obtain an Apostille on an Albania criminal record certificate? Apostilles to authenticate Albanian Criminal Record Certificates are issued by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. Digital criminal status certificates are valid for an Apostille and must be less than 3 months old. ### How can I obtain my Albania Criminal Record Certificate to use abroad? Albanian Certificates of Criminal Status (Certifikatë e Gjendjes Gjyqëso) certifying the applicant's judicial record and criminal status in Albania can be obtained online through the [e-Albania](https://e-albania.al/) Certificates can also be obtained at Albanian post offices or by applying at an [Albanian Embassy](https://punetejashtme.gov.al/en/perfaqesite-shqiptare-ne-bote/) - [Apply for a Judicial Records Certificate](https://e-albania.al/eAlbaniaServices/UseService.aspx?service_code=13259) - [Judicial Record Certificates - Information in English (PDF)](https://e-albania.al/eAlbaniaServices/DPB/Documents/judicial_records_certificate.pdf) - Certificates required in support of a Isarey visa application will be sent directly to the Isarey Embassy in Tirana. This purpose must be indicated when making the application. ## Academic documents ### How can I obtain an apostille for my Albania University Degree and Transcripts? To apostille or attest Albanian university degrees, a certified copy of the degree must be obtained from the university. Original certificates or notarized copies are not accepted. ## Other documents ### How can I obtain an Albania Apostille on a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage? Personal data certificates (certifikate personale) showing marital status in Albania can be obtained from the [e-Albania](https://e-albania.al/) portal. These digital certificates can then be authenticated with an Apostille Stamp in Albania from the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.