HOW TO LEGALIZE A SRI LANKAN DOCUMENT

The following instructions concern all applications for the legalization of Sri Lankan origin, such as marriage certificates, birth certificates, divorce certificates, death certificates, bachelorhood/spinsterhood certificates, custody/guardianship documents.

In order to keep the processing period as short as possible, read carefully the following instructions:

  • Please check with the competent Finnish authorities for which documents a legalization is required
  • All original documents must be legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country of origin before submitting them for the verification at the VFS Global
  • Follow the verification instructions at VFS Global website

Please note:

  • Documents that are not in English language are to be translated to either of these languages: Finnish, Swedish or English. Both the original and the translations of the documents must be legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • Affidavits, Nikah Namas or statutory declarations are not accepted by the Finnish authorities as legally binding documents
  • Please make sure that the names and personal data on the documents to be legalized match with the given names and personal data on the passport(s)
  • If there is any mismatch between the documents (i.e. translations, serial numbers, stamps, signatures, electronic attestations etc.), the Embassy will assess the requirements for the legalization in accordance with the Consular Services Act, section 35
     

First Step: Legalization by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country of origin of the documents

All original documents to be legalized by Embassy of Finland are to be legalized first by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country of origin. Please contact your country’s competent authority in charge of the legalizations.

Second Step: Verification

All documents to be legalized by the Embassy of Finland must first be verified by VFS Global New Delhi. Applicants need to submit their documents for verification online at VFS online portal.

VFS Global verifies the content of the document (verification) following which they charge the applicant a fee for the verification of a document. The fee and payment instructions can be found at the VFS Global website. The applicant is liable for all verification charges.

Please note that the work of VFS Global is independent and the Embassy cannot interfere in the verification process. Any inquiries related to the verification process and the instructions, please contact VFS Global.

VFS Global notifies the client once the verification has been completed. The verification report is delivered directly to the Embassy.

Third Step: Legalization

After the verification is completed, you can submit the documents for the legalization. The Embassy will assess the requirements for the legalization in accordance with the Consular Services Act, section 35.

If you are applying for a residence permit you can book the appointment for the identification and submission of your application only after the verification is completed. You need to submit your documents for the legalization at the time of your identification appointment at the VFS Global New Delhi.