Apostille vs. Embassy legalisation for Georgia
An apostille is the correct and sufficient certification for documents used in Georgia, which joined the Hague Convention in 2007. This means you do not need to go through the longer and more complex process of full embassy legalisation. When you need an apostille from Italy to Georgia, you get it from the Prefettura in Milan. The office there checks that the signature and seal on your paper are genuine. Then they attach the Hague apostille certificate to make it valid for use across Georgia.
Georgia's Hague status & what it means
Georgia has been part of the Hague Apostille Convention since 2007, so any document with an apostille from a member state is accepted there without further checks. This simplifies the document legalisation for Georgia process significantly. You will not need to visit the Georgian consulate or embassy in Rome for additional stamps. The receiving office in Georgia should recognize the apostille immediately. This applies to all public documents issued in Milan, from birth certificates to court orders.
The Milan → Georgia route step by step
First, gather your original document and any supporting papers. For a Milan apostille Georgia requires, you submit these to the Prefettura in person or by post. The office verifies the signatures and applies the official €16 tax stamp per document unless exempt. Once the apostille is attached, your document is ready for use in Georgia. There is no need for further steps at the Georgian embassy, making the apostille for Georgia a straightforward process compared to non-Hague countries.
Cost & timing for this route
The Prefettura charges an official fee of €16 per document for the apostille service, paid via tax stamp (marca da bollo). Some papers like court orders are exempt from this fee. Processing times vary depending on the Prefettura's workload, but most requests take a few working days. You can check current wait times directly with the office. There are no additional consular fees since Georgia accepts the apostille without extra stamps.
Destination-specific requirements
Georgian authorities may request a certified translation of your apostilled document, so confirm this before sending your papers. The receiving office might have specific apostille requirements for Georgia regarding document types or format. Always check with the end recipient in advance. For example, some Georgian offices prefer recent documents or may ask for additional supporting papers. Keep the original apostille attached to your document at all times for it to remain valid.