How to Legalize or Apostille Documents for Use in Bangladesh?
When you want to use a Power of Attorney, Affidavit, Deed of Assignment, or any official document in Bangladesh, it must first go through either the legalization process or the apostille process. Without this step, your document may not be accepted by the DPDT, government offices, or courts in Bangladesh.
Here’s a clear and straightforward guide.
✅ Legalization Process in Bangladesh (Double Legalization)
If your country is not part of the Hague Apostille Convention, you need to follow the traditional legalization process.
Steps in the Legalization Process:
- Notarization – Get your document signed and certified by a notary in your country.
- Bangladesh Embassy – Submit the notarized document to the Bangladesh Embassy or Consulate in your country.
- Send to Bangladesh – Forward the embassy-attested document to an agent or representative in Bangladesh.
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) – The agent submits it to MoFA, Dhaka for checking.
- Final Seal – If everything is correct, MoFA puts its official seal, and the document is ready to use in Bangladesh.
👉 After this process, your document becomes legally valid for use in Bangladesh for trademarks, contracts, or any legal purpose.
✅ Apostille Process in Bangladesh (Simple Route)
If your country is part of the Hague Apostille Convention, the apostille process is much easier and faster. From March 2025, Bangladesh will start accepting apostilled documents directly.
Steps in the Apostille Process:
- Notarization – Get your document notarized in your home country.
- Competent Authority – Submit it to your country’s official authority (like FCDO in the UK, MEA in India, or Department of State in the USA).
- Apostille Certificate – They will issue an apostille certificate (paper or digital).
- Send to Bangladesh – Once apostilled, the document can be used directly in Bangladesh without embassy or MoFA attestation.
🔹 Example:
A UK company wants to submit a Deed of Assignment in Bangladesh. They can notarize it, get an apostille from the UK FCDO, and use it directly in Bangladesh.
✅ Legalization vs Apostille in Bangladesh
- Legalization process – Needed if your country is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention.
- Apostille process – Accepted if your country is a member of the Hague Convention (from March 2025 in Bangladesh).
✅ Which is Best and Easy?
If your country is part of the Hague Apostille Convention, the apostille process is always the best and easiest option. It is faster, cheaper, and needs only one step (notary + apostille certificate).
If your country is not a member of the Hague Convention, then you must follow the legalization process, which takes more time because it needs both embassy attestation and MoFA seal in Bangladesh.
👉 In short:
- Apostille process = Easy and quick
- Legalization process = Longer and more complex
✅ Summary Table: Legalization Process vs Apostille Process in Bangladesh
| Feature | Legalization Process (Double Legalization) | Apostille Process |
|---|---|---|
| When Needed | If the country is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention | If the country is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention |
| Steps | 1) Notary → 2) Bangladesh Embassy attestation → 3) MoFA seal in Bangladesh | 1) Notary → 2) Competent Authority issues apostille certificate |
| Authority in Home Country | Notary Public + Bangladesh Embassy/Consulate | Notary Public + Competent Authority (e.g., FCDO UK, MEA India, DoS USA) |
| Bangladesh Requirement | Must be submitted to MoFA Dhaka for final seal | Directly valid in Bangladesh (no embassy or MoFA needed from March 2025) |
| Time & Cost | Longer and more expensive (multiple steps) | Faster and cheaper (single step) |
| Best & Easy Option | Only choice if country is outside Hague Convention | Always the best and easiest option if available |
