# FAQs: Attesting Rwandan Documents

> Frequently asked questions about obtaining Apostille in Rwanda and to legalize Rwandan documents for use in other countries - birth certificates, marriage certificates, criminal record certificates, academic documents and more.

**Source** [Rwanda](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/Rwanda-attestation-FAQs)>
**Related:** [Apostille Rwandan Documents for international use](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/Rwanda-Legalization-Services) · [Get a Quotation](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/Document-Attestation-Inquiry)

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## General Questions

### Can Rwandan documents be legalized by Apostille?
Yes - Rwanda acceded to the Apostille Convention in June 2024, so that Rwandan documents required for submission to other signatory countries can be authenticated with an Apostille stamp and do not require additional attestation by the embassy or consulate of the recipient country.
When Rwandan documents are required for non-apostille countries, such as United Arab Emirates - Qatar - Thailand - Taiwan - Vietnam they need additional attestation by the embassy of the destination country in Kigali.
For further information see:
[Rwanda Apostille Services](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/Rwanda-Legalization-Services)
For further information about Apostille certification in Rwanda, see:
[Rwanda Apostille Services](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/Rwanda-Legalization-Services)


### What types of documents can be legalized in Rwanda for use abroad?
Rwandan Apostille stamps can be obtained for official documents issued in Rwanda, including
- Birth, death and marriage certificates
- Criminal record certificates.
- University Degrees, diplomas, transcripts, school reports
- Certificates of being single
- Divorce certificates
- Judicial documents
- Notarial acts (Powers of Attorney, certified copies, certified translations, commercial registry extracts)
- To confirm whether your document is eligible for apostille authentication in Rwanda, 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 Rwandan apostille services and for assistance obtaining official copies of Rwandan documents, see:
[Rwanda Apostille Services](https://www.isarey-document-attestation.com/Rwanda-Legalization-Services)


### Where can I see reviews of Isarey's Rwandan 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)


### What is a Rwandan Apostille Stamp and why would I need one?
A Rwandan 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 Rwanda and confirms the capacity of that official.
Rwandan Apostille stamps are often required when submitting a Rwandan document, such as a birth certificate, to the authorities of a foreign country or to a foreign embassy in Rwanda (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 Rwanda?
Document legalization (or attestation) is a procedure which authenticates a public Rwandan document so that it can be submitted in another country for official or legal purposes - for example, if you need to submit a Rwandan birth certificate to the authority or embassy of another country, it will often need to be legalized.
Legalizing a document in Rwanda certifies the authenticity of the signature appearing on the document as that of an authorized public official in Rwanda and confirms the capacity of that official.
- Because Rwanda is a member of the Apostille Convention, Rwandan 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 a Rwandan document is required for a country that is not a member of the Apostille Convention, it will need to be legalized both by Rwandan authorities and by the embassy of the recipient country (embassy in Rwanda or non-resident embassy accredited to Rwanda).
See: [Document legalization - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Document_legalization)


### What services does Isarey Certification Services provide in Rwanda?
Isarey Certification Services provides a range of services in Rwanda including Apostille and legalization services, notarization services, certified translation services and document retrieval services.

## Birth, death and marriage certificates

### How can I obtain a copy of a Rwandan birth, marriage or death certificate?
Official copies of Rwandan birth, death and marriage certificates can be obtained online through the IremboGov ([Irembo account](https://support.irembo.gov.rw/en/support/solutions/articles/47001145950-how-to-create-an-account) required). Applicants from aboard without an Irembo account should contact the nearest Rwandan embassy or High Commission.
- [How to Apply for a Birth Certificate](https://support.irembo.gov.rw/en/support/solutions/articles/47001193156-how-to-apply-for-a-birth-certificate)
- [How to Apply for a Marriage Certificate](https://support.irembo.gov.rw/en/support/solutions/articles/47001193158-how-to-apply-for-a-marriage-certificate)
- [How to Apply for a Death Certificate](https://support.irembo.gov.rw/en/support/solutions/articles/47001212850-how-to-apply-for-a-death-certificate)

## Criminal record certificates

### Do Rwandan Criminal Record Certificates have an expiry?
Rwandan criminal record certificates are valid for six months from the date of issue.


### How can I obtain my Rwandan Criminal Record Certificate to use abroad?
Rwandan Criminal Record Certificate are issued by the National Public Prosecution Authority (NPPA) and are available to Rwandan nationals and foreign nationals currently or formerly resident in Rwanda. Applications can be submitted online using the Irembo platform ([Irembo account](https://support.irembo.gov.rw/en/support/solutions/articles/47001145950-how-to-create-an-account) required), by visiting the nearest Irembo agent in Rwanda, or though Rwandan embassies and High Commissions abroad.
- [How to Apply for a Criminal Record Certificate](https://support.irembo.gov.rw/en/support/solutions/articles/47001147721-how-to-apply-for-a-criminal-record-certificate)
- [FAQs - Rwanda Criminal Record Certificates](https://support.irembo.gov.rw/en/support/solutions/articles/47001222443-frequently-asked-questions-about-criminal-record-certificate)
- [Police Certificate (Rwanda High Commission in London)](https://www.rwandainuk.gov.rw/services/service-details/police-clearance-certificate-1)
- [Police Certificate (Rwanda High Commission in Canada)](https://www.rwandaincanada.gov.rw/services/service-details/cnd-criminal-record)
- [Police Cetificate (Rwanda Embassy - Paris)](https://www.rwandainfrance.gov.rw/services/service-details/casier-judicaire)