Regulation on Public Documents (Regulation 2016/1191)

6 July 2016 on promoting the free movement of citizens by simplifying the requirements for presenting certain public documents in the European Union and amending Regulation (EU) No 1024/2012

The Regulation on Public Documents (Regulation 2016/1191) which was adapted on 6th July 2016 applies on EU countries from 16th February 2019.

The Regulation on Public Documents seeks to simplifies the circulation of certain public documents by cutting red tape and costs for EU citizens when they need to present in an EU country a public document issued from another EU country.

Prior to the adaption of the Regulation on Public Documents, citizens that needed to present a public document in another EU country had to obtain an apostille to prove that the public document was authentic.  In addition citizens were also required to present a certified copy and a translation of their public document.

The adaption of Regulation on Public Documents means that public documents such as birth or marriage certificates, and Judgements no longer need translated nor do the need an authenticity stamp i.e. apostille.  Regulation abolishes the obligation for citizens to provide at the same time both an original public document and its certified copy together with a translation.  Instead EU citizens can apply for multi-lingual standard forms (MSFs).

The General Registrar Office (GRO) have updated their website for details on how to obtain a multi-lingual standard form (MSF) for birth, death or marriage certificates issued in Northern Ireland.  The multi-lingual standard forms (MSFs) will be issued free of charge and details on how to order same are on the public forum of the GRO website.

In addition further information can be obtained from the European Justice portal on the following link by clicking here

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