A will is an important document. If it is to be executed (in part) abroad, it must be accompanied by a certified translation and an apostille.

It is common knowledge that a certified translator uses a stamp, among other things, to certify that the translation he or she has produced is a faithful representation of the source text. However, it is not widely known that an apostille is an additional certification issued by a court that expedites the legalization of a document and allows it to be used immediately in the country of destination.

To obtain an apostille, you must make an appointment at the court, where it will be affixed to the back of the translated will on the spot and stamped with two (2) seals that inseparably link the apostille to the translation.

When one of our certified translators recently translated a will, I had the honor of arranging for an apostille at the court in Alkmaar. However, things didn’t go as I had expected, because immediately after the security check at the entrance, I was pulled aside by two stern-looking security guards. They had seen on the scanner that there was a knife in my bag. And that was true, because I actually always carry a pocket knife with me. “Stupid!” I thought to myself immediately, but right after that, I was actually curious to see what would happen next. The guards took me and my pocket knife to a small room in the back of the building, where they used a poster showing various knife sizes to check whether the blade of my knife was longer than 26 cm. Because if it were, I wouldn’t be allowed to have it with me in court, and they’d have to confiscate it. So, goodbye pocket knife. But a knife with a 26-cm blade—that’s a really big knife. And to my relief, the blade of my pocket knife turned out to be only 9 cm. Just enough to peel an apple, but otherwise in no way a threat to anyone.

Once this minor issue had been resolved, I was back outside within ten minutes with my apostille, and I was able to send the Dutch and English wills to the client via certified mail.

So, if you have a Dutch will that must be executed (in part) abroad, keep in mind that the translation must be done by a certified translator and that an apostille must be obtained through the court.

With warm regards,

Willem Ezerman

Director / English Translator