Beninese documents for Switzerland: translation and legalisation
Visa, study, marriage, work or business in Switzerland: we translate, certify and legalise your Beninese documents so they are accepted by the authorities there.
Universities, Geneva's international organisations and binational marriages: Swiss cantonal authorities require legalised documents and, depending on the canton, German or Italian translations.
Switzerland is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, but Benin currently is not. Beninese documents for Switzerland therefore go through traditional legalisation rather than an apostille.
The usual steps
Preparing the document
Obtaining the record or diploma if needed, a certified true copy and prior authentication of the signature where the authority requires it.
Benin's Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Legalisation of the document's signature and seal by the ministry in Cotonou.
Embassy or consulate (Switzerland)
Legalisation by the Switzerland diplomatic mission responsible for Benin.
Certified translation
Translation into French, German, Italian if required, by a certified or sworn translator as local rules demand.
The order of steps (translation before or after legalisation) and the documents required vary with the receiving organisation. We confirm them before starting and flag any recent change in procedure.
The other way round
Documents issued in Switzerland for use in Benin generally need to be legalised by the competent Beninese embassy or consulate. As Switzerland is a party to the Apostille Convention, we can also obtain an apostille there if the document is intended for another member country.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Beninese document be apostilled for Switzerland?
Not at present: since Benin is not a party to the Apostille Convention, its documents are legalised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and then by the competent embassy or consulate.
Should the translation be done before or after legalisation?
Some countries require it, others don't. We check the receiving organisation's requirements and schedule the translation before or after the original is legalised accordingly.
How much does it cost?
The cost depends on the number of documents, the embassy's legalisation fees and the languages involved. Send us your list of documents for a free quote.
Request your free quote
Tell us what you need and attach your documents if you can. We reply by email with a detailed quote and the list of steps.
Our prices depend on the document, language, formalities and deadline, so every request gets a free, no-obligation quote.