Notary Public in Stockholm, Sweden
In this section we explain what a Notary Public is. What services does a Notary Public offer? What function do they fulfill? Read more below.
A Notary Public in Sweden is a lawyer appointed by the County Administrative Board (Länsstyrelsen) to verify signatures, certify copies and issue Apostilles under the 1961 Hague Convention. At Apostille24 you meet a licensed Notary Public in central Stockholm, with full service in English, and most documents are stamped and ready within minutes.
Our office is at Kungsgatan 37, 5th floor (elevator available), and we offer drop-in every weekday between 09:00 and 16:00. No appointment is needed and there is no waiting time of 1-2 days as with many other notaries. Can’t visit Stockholm? Most Apostille matters can be handled entirely online or by post, wherever you are in Sweden or abroad. Call 08-502 353 37 if you need help finding us.
Drop-in weekdays 09:00-16:00 at Kungsgatan 37, or order online
The Notary Public verifies and stamps your documents within minutes
Done! You receive your completed documents right away or by post
What Is a Notary Public?
The title comes from Latin and roughly translates as “public secretary”. A Notary Public is not a government employee, but a lawyer who holds a public commission of trust: to check, witness and certify facts and documents in an impartial way on behalf of society. You could describe the role as the extended arm of the state in document matters. Appointing Notaries Public is a long tradition in Sweden, as in most other countries, and the certificates they issue are recognized by authorities, courts and banks worldwide.
In Sweden the role is regulated in the Notary Public Ordinance (1982:327). The single most important power it grants is the right to issue Apostilles in accordance with the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961. Since 1 January 2005, only Notaries Public may issue Apostilles in Sweden; no bank, police station or municipal office can do this for you. The ordinance also tasks the Notary Public with providing the public with certification and verification of information of a special nature, which is why foreign counterparties so often ask specifically for a notarized document. New to the subject? Start with our guide to notarization and legalization.
Notary Public Services We Offer
Apostille24 helps companies and private individuals with all common notarial services, in English and Swedish.
Apostille
The most requested service. An Apostille is a certificate that makes a Swedish document valid in the more than 120 countries that have joined the Hague Convention. Typical documents are birth certificates, diplomas, powers of attorney and company documents. When an Apostille has been attached, no further legalization is needed; the document is ready to use in the destination country. You can get your Apostille at our Stockholm office or order a digital e-Apostille without visiting us at all. For countries outside the convention, documents instead need legalization through the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the country’s embassy.
Signature Witnessing
Witnessing of signatures requires you to sign in person before the Notary Public with a valid ID. This is common for powers of attorney, property documents and affidavits. Read more about witnessing in general, or about witnessing a power of attorney specifically.
Certified Copies
The Notary Public compares a copy against the original and certifies that they match. The classic example is a certified passport copy, which foreign banks and authorities often require. We also certify copies of diplomas, contracts and other records. For simpler attestation needs, see vidimation.
Notarial Certificates and Statements
A Notary Public can confirm in a notarial statement that a person or authority holds a certain position, competence or authorization, act as a witness when seals are placed or broken, and certify the content of registers and documents.
Company Documents
For businesses we notarize company documents such as certificates of registration, shareholder structures and trade and export documents. Note that the signatory must be verifiable, so bring a current extract from the Swedish Companies Registration Office (Bolagsverket).
Powers of Attorney
We witness and legalize powers of attorney for use abroad, for example a power of attorney for buying property in Spain or for selling a car abroad. Read our complete guide to how power of attorney works in Sweden.
How to Get a Document Notarized in Sweden
Step by Step
Getting a document notarized in Sweden is a quick process when you come prepared. This is how it works:
- Ask the receiving party exactly what they require. Is it an Apostille, a witnessed signature or a certified copy? Foreign authorities use different terms, and asking first saves you a second visit.
- Prepare your documents. Bring originals where possible. Apostilles are issued on original documents carrying an official stamp and signature.
- Bring a valid ID: a passport, Swedish driving licence or SIS-marked ID card. Signing for a company? Bring a registration certificate from Bolagsverket so the Notary Public can verify that you are an authorized signatory.
- Visit our drop-in at Kungsgatan 37 (weekdays 09:00-16:00), or order your Apostille online or by post if no personal appearance is needed.
- The Notary Public checks, certifies and stamps your documents, usually within minutes, and you are done. Documents sent in by post are returned by registered mail the same or next business day.
First time visiting a notary? Read this before booking an appointment. For a full checklist of what to bring, see our article on notarized document requirements in Sweden.
When Do You Need a Notary Public?
Most clients contact a Notary Public because a foreign authority, bank or business partner has asked for it. Requirements differ between countries and institutions, which is why we always recommend asking the receiving party exactly which form of certificate they expect: a witnessed signature, a certified copy, an endorsement, or, most commonly, an Apostille. Common situations include:
- Opening a bank account abroad, which often requires a certified passport copy with an Apostille
- Buying or selling property abroad, where a witnessed power of attorney is usually required
- Getting married abroad, with an Apostille on your marriage certificate or certificate of no impediment
- Studying or working abroad, with Apostilles on grades and degree certificates
- International adoption and family law matters
- Migration matters, such as an invitation letter for the Swedish Migration Agency
- Registering for a D-number in Norway or similar foreign identity numbers
What a Notary Public Cannot Do
The commission of trust has limits. A Notary Public does not work for the Swedish state and cannot issue records that only Swedish authorities hold, such as population register extracts. Nor may a Notary Public assist with services that are improper, unreasonable or criminal in nature. The role requires good judgment, and every assignment is assessed on that basis. A Notary Public is also not your legal counsel; for legal advice in a dispute you should engage a law firm.
Notary Public Online and by Post
You do not always need to visit an office. Apostilles can be handled entirely remotely: order online, send your documents by letter, or choose a digital e-Apostille where the certificate is issued electronically. Living outside Sweden? We also handle Apostille orders from abroad.
Remember that services where identity must be verified in person, such as signature witnessing, always require a physical visit with a valid ID.
Not in Stockholm? We serve clients across Sweden, and you can read more about notary services in your city: Malmö, Uppsala, Lund, Helsingborg, Linköping, Jönköping, Västerås, Örebro, Mölndal (Gothenburg area) and more. See all locations on our choose your location page. In Gothenburg? We also handle Apostille in Gothenburg remotely.
Who Appoints Notaries Public in Sweden?
Requirements and Appointment
Notaries Public are appointed by the County Administrative Board (Länsstyrelsen). Every county has at least one, and larger municipalities often have several. The requirements are strict: a completed law degree, sufficient language skills, a certificate showing the applicant is not bankrupt, and general suitability for the commission.
Your Notary Public at Apostille24
At Apostille24 you meet Timothy Prellwitz, appointed Notary Public by the County Administrative Board of Stockholm. The appointment covers the municipalities of Solna and Sundbyberg, and is valid for assignments throughout Sweden. That means we can help you wherever you are in the country, in person in Stockholm or remotely by post and online.
Why Choose Apostille24 as Your Notary Public?
- No waiting time. Drop-in every weekday and documents stamped within minutes, instead of processing times of 1-2 days.
- Service in English. Our entire process, from ordering to certificates, works just as well in English as in Swedish, which makes us a natural choice for expats and international companies.
- Fixed prices. Every service has a clear fixed price, listed on its service page, with no hidden fees. Contact us for a free quote if your matter is complex.
- Trusted by clients. Apostille24 holds a 4.9 out of 5 rating on Google based on more than 450 reviews.
- Nationwide service. Visit us in central Stockholm or handle your entire Apostille matter by post or online from anywhere in Sweden or abroad.
Do you have questions about which service you need? Call us on 08-502 353 37 or use our free consultation, and we will point you in the right direction before you order anything.
What is a Notary Public in Sweden?
A Notary Public in Sweden is a lawyer appointed by the County Administrative Board (Länsstyrelsen) to verify signatures, certify copies and issue Apostilles under the 1961 Hague Convention. They act as an impartial, state-sanctioned verification function for documents used in Sweden and abroad.
How do I get a document notarized in Sweden?
Bring your original document and a valid ID to a Notary Public. At Apostille24 in Stockholm you can simply use our drop-in service on weekdays between 09:00 and 16:00, and your document is usually stamped within minutes. Apostilles can also be ordered online or by post.
Do I need an appointment to see a Notary Public?
No appointment is needed at our Stockholm office. We offer drop-in every weekday between 09:00 and 16:00 at Kungsgatan 37, 5th floor. Outside these hours we can help by agreement.
Can a bank notarize a document in Sweden?
No. Swedish banks cannot notarize documents. Since 2005, only a Notary Public appointed by the County Administrative Board may issue an Apostille, and notarial certifications such as witnessed signatures and certified copies also require a Notary Public.
Who can certify documents in Sweden?
It depends on the requirement. Simple certified copies (vidimation) can be made by two private individuals, but foreign authorities almost always require certification by a Notary Public, often combined with an Apostille.
How much does a Notary Public cost in Sweden?
Notaries Public charge a fee within their own practice. At Apostille24 we work with fixed prices per service, which you will find on each service page, and you are always welcome to contact us for a free quote.
Can I get a document notarized online or by post?
Yes, for Apostilles. You can order an Apostille online, send your documents by post or use the digital e-Apostille service. Signature witnessing and certain certifications require you to visit in person with a valid ID.
What ID do I need for notarization?
A valid passport, a Swedish driving licence or a Swedish SIS-marked ID card. If you sign on behalf of a company, bring a current registration certificate from the Swedish Companies Registration Office (Bolagsverket) so the Notary Public can verify the signatory.
What is the difference between an Apostille and notarization?
Notarization is the act of a Notary Public verifying a signature, copy or fact. An Apostille is a specific certificate under the Hague Convention that makes a Swedish document valid in other member countries, and in Sweden it may only be issued by a Notary Public.