Does Tunisia accept apostilles?

Answer by the AvoConsulte editorial team

Yes. Tunisia is a party to the 1961 Hague Convention abolishing the requirement of legalisation (the Apostille Convention). A public document from another member country carrying an apostille is accepted without consular legalisation, and Tunisian documents can be apostilled for use in member countries, unless the Convention does not apply between Tunisia and that country.

Tunisian documents for use abroad

Under Government Decree No. 2018-583, apostilles in Tunisia are issued by notaries (adl ichhad), who are the only competent authority. You can go to any notary, wherever you live or the document was issued. This covers public documents such as birth and marriage certificates, judgments, notarial deeds, diplomas and criminal record certificates. Ask the notary beforehand what they need, for example an original or a recent certified copy.

Foreign documents for use in Tunisia

• From a member country: get the apostille in the country that issued the document, from the authority that country designates.
• From a non-member country: the traditional chain still applies: legalisation by that country's authorities, then by the Tunisian embassy or consulate there.
• Bilateral agreements between Tunisia and some countries can simplify or remove these steps for certain documents.

Translation

Tunisian administrations and courts usually ask for an Arabic translation by a sworn translator. There is no single rule on the order of the apostille and the translation, so ask the receiving office before you start, to avoid paying twice.

Before you start

• Check on the Hague Conference (HCCH) website that the Convention applies between Tunisia and the other country. Germany, Austria and Greece objected to Tunisia's accession, so it does not apply between them and Tunisia; Belgium withdrew its objection in 2025.
• Use originals or certified copies. An apostille only confirms the signature, the signatory's capacity and the seal, not the content.

For your own situation, consult a lawyer; the AvoConsulte directory lists lawyers registered with the ONAT by city.

This answer was written by the AvoConsulte editorial team and gives general information only: it is not legal advice. For your own situation, consult a lawyer.

Sources

1. Status table: Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH)
2. Apostille Convention: objections to the accession of Tunisia (Germany, Austria, Greece, Belgium; Belgian withdrawal of 11 June 2025) Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH)
3. Tunisia: Competent Authority (Art. 6) under the Apostille Convention Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH)
4. Décret gouvernemental n° 2018-583 du 3 juillet 2018, portant désignation de l'autorité chargée de délivrer l'apostille DCAF, Base de données de la législation du secteur de la sécurité en Tunisie