Traditional notarization ranges from €50 to €400+ depending on document type, and Apostille cost processing varies country to country. NotaryPublic24 offers a fixed €79 for online notarization and a €119 Apostille bundle that includes both notarization and the Apostille application – all delivered online within 24 hours.
Introduction
If you need a document authenticated for use abroad, two costs come into play: the notarization fee charged by a Notary Public and the Apostille fee charged by the issuing authority in your country. Together, these can range from under €100 with an online service to several hundred euros for complex documents that require both steps through traditional channels.
This guide breaks down every fee involved – from Apostille charges to traditional notary rates, express options, and what our online notarization service at NotaryPublic24 actually charges – so you know exactly what to expect before you start.
The Two Costs: Notarization and Apostille
Notarization and apostilling are separate steps, each with its own fee. Understanding the difference is essential for budgeting.
Notarization is the process of having a qualified Notary Public verify the authenticity of a document and the identity of its signer. The notary applies their official seal and signature, certifying the document as genuine. This is a private professional service, and fees vary widely between providers.
An Apostille is an official certificate that authenticates the notary’s credentials – or, for public documents, the issuing authority’s credentials – so the document is accepted in countries that have signed the Hague Apostille Convention. Each country has its own designated Apostille authority, and applying directly often means navigating different rules and timelines depending on where your document was issued.
NotaryPublic24 Pricing
We provide online notarization and Apostille services with transparent fixed prices – no hidden costs, no quotes, no surprises.
- Notarization: €79 (online, 24-hour turnaround after biometric ID check)
- Apostille (notarization included): €119 (full international bundle – cheaper than buying notarization and Apostille separately)
- Digital Signing: €50 (sign electronically or invite others; works for promissory notes, powers of attorney, affidavits)
- Forms: €60 each (online form builder for promissory notes, travel consent, affidavits, statutory declarations, powers of attorney, sales agreements)
Our pricing includes the notary’s fee, biometric identity verification, and digital delivery. The €119 Apostille bundle includes both steps – so when an article mentions “apostille after notarization”, you can buy the full package from us in one checkout for a fixed price.
For a detailed breakdown of what is included, visit our Apostille service page or browse the full list of services.
Apostille Fees Around the World
Apostille fees are set by each country’s designated authority, and the process of applying directly can be slow, manual, and country-specific. Standard processing typically takes 2–4 weeks, requires posting original documents, and the rules vary by jurisdiction.
That’s why we handle the entire flow for you. With our Apostille bundle, we cover both the notarization and the Apostille application – including UK FCDO submissions – in one online checkout for a fixed €119. No comparing country fees, no separate appointments, no posting originals back and forth.
For documents destined for non-Hague countries such as the UAE or parts of the Middle East and Asia, full diplomatic legalization through the destination country’s embassy is required separately. We can guide you on whether your destination needs an Apostille or full legalization.
Traditional Notarization Costs
Traditional Notary Public fees are not regulated by a fixed price list and vary depending on the notary, the document type, the complexity of the work, and your location. Common ranges worldwide:
- Simple personal document (e.g. certified copy of a passport): €50–€100
- Standard notarization (power of attorney, affidavit): €100–€200
- Business documents (board resolutions, commercial agreements): €200–€400+
- Hourly rate (complex matters): €240–€320
These rates often exclude VAT and travel expenses. Most traditional notaries require an in-person appointment, which adds the time cost of scheduling, travelling, and waiting – costs that we eliminate by handling everything online.
Combined Cost: Notarization Plus Apostille
For private documents that require both notarization and an Apostille, the combined cost varies sharply between traditional and online channels:
- Traditional notary + Apostille (standard): €170–€280 per document
- Traditional notary + Apostille (express/same-day): €230–€400+ per document
- Our Apostille bundle at NotaryPublic24: €119 per document (fixed, both steps included)
If you need multiple documents processed, costs add up quickly through traditional channels. Our fixed bundle removes that variability.
What Affects the Total Cost?
Several factors determine how much you will pay:
Document Type
Public documents issued by a government body – birth certificates, degree certificates, criminal record checks – can usually go directly to the Apostille authority without prior notarization. This means you only pay the authority fee. Private documents (powers of attorney, contracts, certified copies) need notarization first, which adds the notary’s fee on top.
Turnaround Time
Standard Apostille processing takes 2–4 weeks in most jurisdictions. If you need faster turnaround, using a registered Apostille agent or an online service can reduce this to 24–72 hours – often at a premium for traditional providers, but at no extra cost for our standard service.
Number of Documents
Each document is charged separately for Apostille. If you need to notarize and apostille five documents for a relocation abroad, the total can exceed €800 through traditional channels.
In-Person vs Online
Traditional in-person notarization requires scheduling an appointment, travelling to a notary’s office, and sometimes paying for parking or time off work. Online notarization services eliminate these indirect costs and are often cheaper because they operate with lower overheads.
Destination Country
If your destination country is a member of the Hague Convention, an Apostille is sufficient. If it is not – the UAE and some Middle East/Asian countries being common examples – you will need full diplomatic legalization through the destination country’s embassy, which adds further fees and processing time.
How to Reduce Costs
There are several practical ways to keep your notarization and Apostille costs down:
- Check whether your document is a public document that can go directly to the Apostille authority without notarization
- Use an e-Apostille (where available) instead of paper – often cheaper and faster
- Bundle multiple documents into a single order to negotiate a per-document rate
- Use our Apostille bundle (€119, fixed) for both steps in one checkout
- Use an online notarization service to avoid travel costs and appointment scheduling
- Plan ahead – standard processing is significantly cheaper than express or same-day options
How NotaryPublic24 Works
We provide online notarization and Apostille services with a simple five-step process – no in-person appointments required.
- Upload your document to our platform
- Select the service type: notarization, certified copy, affidavit, or Apostille
- Complete checkout and verify your identity using biometric ID checks
- A qualified Notary Public reviews and certifies your document within 24 hours
- Your notarized document is delivered digitally – or submitted to the Apostille authority if you selected the bundle
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an Apostille cost?
Apostille fees vary by country and applying directly can be slow and country-specific. Through our Apostille bundle, you pay a fixed €119 covering both notarization and the Apostille application – including UK FCDO submissions – in one online checkout.
How much does notarization cost?
Traditional Notary Public fees range from €50 for simple documents to €400+ for complex business work, depending on jurisdiction and complexity. We offer online notarization at a fixed €79, with no travel surcharges.
Is online notarization cheaper than in-person?
Generally, yes. Online notarization eliminates travel costs, office overheads, and the time cost of scheduling appointments. We provide a fully online service with a 24-hour turnaround and transparent fixed pricing – €79 for notarization, €119 for the Apostille bundle.
Does every document need notarization before an Apostille?
No. Public documents issued by a government body – birth certificates, degree certificates, criminal record checks – can typically go directly to the Apostille authority. Private documents (powers of attorney, contracts, certified copies) must be notarized first. See our guide on which documents need notarization.
Can I get a cheaper Apostille if I apply directly to the issuing authority?
Applying directly is usually the cheapest route for the Apostille certificate itself, but standard processing takes 2–4 weeks in most jurisdictions and you handle the postage. Our €119 bundle costs more than a direct application but delivers within 24 hours of identity verification, with both steps handled in one checkout.
How much does it cost to notarize and apostille multiple documents?
Each document is charged separately. Five documents requiring both steps can cost €850–€1,400 through traditional channels. We charge a fixed €119 per document in the Apostille bundle – meaning five documents cost €595 total, with no hidden fees.
Final Thoughts
The total cost of notarization and apostilling depends on whether your document is public or private, how quickly you need it, the country issuing the Hague Apostille, and whether you use a traditional notary or an online service.
We simplify the process at NotaryPublic24 with online notarization at €79, an Apostille bundle at €119, a 24-hour turnaround, and fully transparent pricing throughout. Start with our document services to find the right product for your specific document.