How it works
Every country has its own officials who verify signatures and documents. Under the Hague Apostille Convention of 1961, more than 120 countries accept each other’s official documents with one certificate. This certificate is the apostille. It is proof that the signature and the stamp of the official are real.
A founder abroad signs the power of attorney in front of a local notary or another authorised official. The apostille is then proof of that official’s signature. The Dutch notary accepts the document as it is, because the checks in the founder’s country are complete.
Who issues the apostille differs per country. In the United States it is the Secretary of State. In the United Kingdom it is the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. In Germany it is the district court or the notary chamber. In India it is the Ministry of External Affairs. Processing takes from one day to a few weeks.
Countries outside the convention use consular legalisation. The local ministry and then the Dutch embassy check the document. This procedure takes longer. For founders from those countries, we include the extra time in the planning.
Example
A founder in Texas signs the power of attorney at a notary public. She sends it to the Texas Secretary of State, who attaches the apostille within a few days. The Dutch notary receives the document and signs the deed of incorporation.
The figures
Every rate for 2026 is listed in Netherlands tax rates 2026, and the figures for 2027 are in Netherlands tax rates 2027.
Questions people ask
Does every document need an apostille?
The power of attorney needs an apostille. The passport copy often needs one too. For a corporate founder, the extract from the home register often needs one as well. Before the founder signs, the Dutch notary gives an exact list of the documents for each country.
What about countries outside the convention?
Documents from those countries need consular legalisation. First the local foreign ministry checks them, then the Dutch embassy or consulate. Plan two to six weeks for this.
Holdwise, Hoofddorp. We keep this definition in line with our Dutch and German glossaries, and the figures are those for the tax year 2026. Updated 30 September 2026.
Want our team to have a look?
We help entrepreneurs and international companies with their company in the Netherlands and Europe. Tell us about your situation or your plans. Our team looks at it and replies with the next step.