Apostille vs. Embassy legalisation for Madagascar
The apostille for Madagascar you might have heard about does not work for documents headed there. While Italy issues apostilles under the Hague Convention, Madagascar has its own system. You need complete document legalisation for Madagascar starting with the Prefettura in Verona, followed by additional steps. This means your papers will go through several offices before reaching the consulate.
Madagascar's Hague status & what it means
Madagascar is not part of the Hague Convention and does not accept apostilles. This means you cannot use the standard Verona apostille Madagascar route that would work for Hague countries. Instead, you must follow the longer consular legalisation path. The receiving authority in Madagascar requires this full chain of verification for your papers to be valid there.
The Verona → Madagascar route step by step
The journey begins at the Prefettura in Verona, where you get the first stamp. Then your papers move to Rome for authentication at the Procura della Repubblica. The final step is the Madagascan embassy, which adds its own stamp. This completes the apostille from Italy to Madagascar process, though technically it involves more than just an apostille.
You must prepare your papers carefully before starting. All documents need proper translation into French or Malagasy by a sworn translator. The Prefettura in Verona checks the original papers and adds a verification stamp. Then the Procura in Rome confirms the Prefettura's stamp is genuine. Finally, the embassy applies their legalisation to complete the apostille requirements for Madagascar.
Destination-specific requirements
Madagascar insists on French or Malagasy translations for all foreign documents. The receiving office there may ask for extra papers depending on your document type. For example, university degrees need course details, and business contracts require company registration proof. Always confirm the exact list with the office that will read your file in Madagascar.