Legally, a document issued in Geneva falls under State Chancellery in Genève. In practice our standard route frees you from that counter: a notarized certified copy is made from your upload and the apostille goes on it — a copy suffices, whatever the canton. The original only enters the picture if your destination expressly requires the apostille on the original.
Order an apostille →Upload a PDF or photo; a notary establishes the certified true copy (included) and that copy receives the apostille — processed through our Vaud office. Nothing to post, and identical turnaround whether the document comes from Geneva or anywhere else.
Some authorities insist the apostille sit on the original issued in Geneva: we then file with State Chancellery in Genève. Send us the original by registered mail after ordering (address confirmed by e-mail) — it comes back apostilled.
Criminal records and other federal documents belong to the Federal Chancellery in Berne, not to Genève. Tick «federal document» in the form — we route it.
Documents issued in the canton of Geneva come in French. France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Quebec and most of francophone Africa accept them as they are — no translation, no extra cost, one less step. German-speaking and English-speaking destinations will usually want a certified translation alongside the apostille.
Geneva produces an unusual share of civil status documents for people who were never born here — international staff, diplomats, dual nationals whose records were transcribed into the Swiss register. If your situation involves an international organisation or a foreign marriage recorded in Geneva, say so: the document you need may not be the one you assume.