When registering a vehicle that comes from abroad, some States, such as Italy, request an apostille of the documents presented and issued by the State of origin of the vehicle. As a result, the purchaser may request an apostille of the certificate for export abroad, as provided for in the Hague Convention.
Understanding the process
Thus, under the Convention adopted at The Hague on 5 October 1961, which is known as the Apostille Convention, entered into force in Monaco on 1st January 2003, all documents issued by an authority or by an official under the jurisdiction of the State, including those issued by a public prosecutor, a clerk of a court or bailiff, administrative documents and notarial deeds, as well as official declarations such as those related to registrations, visas bearing certain dates and certifications of signature, affixed to a deed under private signature, may be apostilled.
This apostille, in a format specified by the Convention, is affixed to the document concerned. It states the name of the person who has signed the deed and the capacity in which he or she is acting, as well as the mention of seal or stamp. This apostille is dated, signed, numbered and stamped.
All the apostilles are listed in a register that states the number, the date, the name of the authority, the title of the document and the signature of the person authorised to file the deed.
An apostille may not be affixed to documents drawn up by diplomatic or consular agents, nor to documents relating directly to a commercial or customs operation.
The apostille is subject to a fee. See a model apostille:
The request must be accompanied by the following documents:
- The original copy of a certificate for export abroad issued by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office
- A photocopy of the said Export Certificate certified by one of the following three entities:
- The Administrative Police Division of the Police Department (4 rue Louis Notari)
- The Civil Registry Department of the Monaco Town Hall (Place de la Mairie)
- The Reception Desk of the Passport Department of the Ministry of State (Place de la Visitation)
- The corresponding payment
The complete file can be submitted to the Palais de Justice, without an appointment. A receipt can be issued at the request of the petitioner.
If the document is not written in French, a brief description of the document's title must be included, for it to be listed in the appropriate register.
Apostilled documents are subject to a fee, payable upon collection from The Department of Justice.
The apostille will be ready in a maximum of forty-eight hours.
Anybody authorised to collect the documents must bring an ID document and proof of power of attorney for the applicant.
For further information, you can contact the secretariat of the Department of Justice on (+377) 98 98 82 97 or 88 11.
See also
See also
Administrative contact
23 avenue Albert II
98000 MONACO
Opening hours :
from 9.30am to 5.00pm from Monday to Friday - Visits by appointment only
Phone :
More information :
On the first floor of Fontvieille Shopping Centre
(lifts are located to the right of the pharmacy)
Assistance dogs only
Administrative contact
23 avenue Albert II
98000 MONACO
Opening hours :
from 9.30am to 5.00pm from Monday to Friday - Visits by appointment only
Phone :
More information :
On the first floor of Fontvieille Shopping Centre
(lifts are located to the right of the pharmacy)
Assistance dogs only