Can I apostille a foreign license that was originally issued in another language?

Yes, though many authorities require a certified translation alongside the authenticated document. We confirm what your destination country needs before we start.

How long does it take?

Processing time depends on the issuing country's authority and your destination. We provide a timeline estimate when you place your order.

Do I send the original license or a copy?

Requirements vary by country. Some authorities accept a notarized copy; others require the original. We'll tell you exactly what to send after reviewing your order.

My new country asks for both an apostille and a translation — can you handle both?

Yes. Laurela offers certified translation alongside apostille authentication so you can submit everything your destination requires in one workflow.

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Foreign Driver's License apostille

If you hold a driver's license issued by another country and need to use it in a new country — whether to exchange it for a local license, satisfy an employer, or meet a legal residency requirement — an apostille or equivalent authentication may be required. Foreign driver's licenses are government-issued documents, making them eligible for authentication through the appropriate national authority.

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What is a Foreign Driver's License apostille?

An apostille is a standardized certificate that confirms the official signature and seal on your driver's license (or a certified copy of it) are genuine. Because driver's licenses are issued by a government authority, they qualify for this authentication under the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention. The resulting apostille lets the receiving country trust the document without a full chain of embassy certifications.

When you need one

Common situations include exchanging your foreign license for a local one in your new country of residence, presenting credentials to a foreign employer who requires verified driving history, complying with a visa or residency application that asks for authenticated ID, or renting or insuring a vehicle in a country that requires proof of a valid foreign license.

How Laurela handles it

We review the issuing country of your license and identify the correct competent authority for authentication. Where a certified copy or notarized translation is required before apostille, we coordinate that step first. If your destination country is not a Hague Convention member, we route your document through the appropriate consular legalization process instead.

Apostille vs. embassy legalization

Countries that have signed the Hague Apostille Convention accept an apostille as sufficient proof of authenticity — no embassy visit required. For countries outside the Convention, your document must go through embassy or consular legalization, which is a multi-step process involving both the US State Department and the destination country's consulate. We determine the right path based on your destination.

Frequently asked questions

Can I apostille a foreign license that was originally issued in another language?: Yes, though many authorities require a certified translation alongside the authenticated document. We confirm what your destination country needs before we start.
How long does it take?: Processing time depends on the issuing country's authority and your destination. We provide a timeline estimate when you place your order.
Do I send the original license or a copy?: Requirements vary by country. Some authorities accept a notarized copy; others require the original. We'll tell you exactly what to send after reviewing your order.
My new country asks for both an apostille and a translation — can you handle both?: Yes. Laurela offers certified translation alongside apostille authentication so you can submit everything your destination requires in one workflow.

This page explains a general process and is not legal advice. Requirements vary by issuing authority and destination country; we confirm the specifics for your order. Verified 2026-06-20.