Document Translation Requirements in Lithuania
Official bodies in Lithuania generally require a notarized translation of foreign-language documents, and many documents also need an apostille or legalization before they are translated. Below: who can translate, when an apostille is needed, and where the official rules are published.
Lithuania recognizes a translation whose accuracy is certified — usually a translator's translation with the signature certified by a notary (notaras) when an official body requires it. For a Lithuanian document used in the United States you instead need a certified English translation with a signed Certificate of Accuracy, which USCIS and universities accept. Lithuania has been in the Hague Apostille Convention since 1997, and since 2016 apostilles are issued by Lithuanian notaries — not at a consulate.
Lithuania requirements at a glance
| Translation standard | Notarized translation (Notarised) · notaro patvirtintas vertimas |
|---|---|
| Who can translate | Professional translator (translator’s signature is typically certified by a notary when required) |
| Apostille | Yes, for foreign public documents issued in Hague Convention countries. In Lithuania, Apostilles are issued by notaries. HCCH – Lithuania competent authority |
| Apostille authority | Lithuanian notaries, who have issued apostilles since 18 January 2016; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs remains a designated authority. |
| Accepted languages | Lithuanian (for submission to Lithuanian authorities) |
| Responsible authority | Notaries (Apostille issuing authority in Lithuania) |
Who can translate documents for use in Lithuania?
What makes a translation official in Lithuania?
How does Lithuania treat documents from abroad?
Apostille & legalization for Lithuania
Lithuania is part of the Hague Apostille Convention (since 1997), so public documents are authenticated with a single apostille — no consular legalization.
Documents from Lithuania
Lithuanian notaries, who have issued apostilles since 18 January 2016; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs remains a designated authority.Lithuania has been a party to the Convention since 19 July 1997.
U.S. documents going to Lithuania
A U.S. document going to Lithuania is apostilled in the United States — the state Secretary of State, or the U.S. Department of State for federal documents — and then translated into Lithuanian, with the signature notarized when required.
The apostille should be obtained before the translation, so the apostille certificate is translated too. See how apostilles work, or order a translation with e-apostille.
How to get a Lithuania document translation accepted
- 1
Apostille the Lithuanian original at a notary (if required)
Lithuanian notaries issue apostilles; obtain it before translation so the apostille is covered too.
- 2
Order a certified English translation of the full document
Cover the registry data, the Lithuanian diacritics in names, any older Russian-language Soviet-era entries, and the apostille, with a signed Certificate of Accuracy.
- 3
Submit the original plus the certified translation
File the apostilled original or certified copy with the certified translation to USCIS, the university, or the credential evaluator.
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Translating Lithuanian documents for the U.S.?
Lithuanian birth certificates, diplomas, and transcripts submitted to USCIS, universities, or credential evaluators need a certified English translation — that is exactly what we do — backed by our revise-free-or-refund acceptance guarantee.
Sending U.S. documents to Lithuania?
U.S.-issued documents usually need an apostille before they can be used in Lithuania — and the apostille should be obtained before the translation, so the certificate itself gets translated too. We offer e-apostille processing as an add-on to any order.
Popular certified translations
The document types we certify most often — each with its own pricing and requirements page.
Why Lithuania document translations get rejected
The mistakes we see most often on Lithuanian documents — and what a correct certified translation does instead.
Lithuanian diacritics dropped from a name
Lithuanian names use ž, č, š, ū, ą and similar marks; flattening them changes the spelling and breaks the match with the passport.
Soviet-era Russian-language entries left untranslated
Older Lithuanian certificates carry Russian-language stamps or entries from the Soviet period; leaving them untranslated makes the certified translation incomplete.
The notary apostille page separated from the document
In Lithuania the apostille is issued by a notary as a distinct page; it must be translated and kept with the certificate it authenticates.
Cost & turnaround
A one-page liudijimas is priced as a single page; a diploma supplement and multi-page records are priced by their page count. Standard delivery is 24–48 hours, with notarization and e-apostille available as add-ons. See full pricing.
Lithuania translation requirements — FAQ
What translation does Lithuania require for foreign documents?
Lithuania accepts a translation whose accuracy is certified, with the translator's signature certified by a notary when an official body requires it. The foreign document is apostilled first, then translated.
how apostilles workDo I need a notarized translation for a Lithuanian document used in the U.S.?
For the U.S. you need a certified English translation with a signed Certificate of Accuracy. Lithuanian notarization helps for use inside Lithuania, but USCIS and universities rely on the certified translation.
USCIS translation rulesIs Lithuania in the Hague Apostille Convention?
Yes, since 19 July 1997. A Lithuanian public document used abroad is apostilled inside Lithuania, not legalized at a consulate.
requirements for other countriesWho issues an apostille in Lithuania?
Lithuanian notaries, who have handled apostilles since 18 January 2016. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs remains a designated authority alongside them.
birth certificate translationHow are Lithuanian diacritics handled in a translation?
Lithuanian names use marks such as ž, č, š, ū and ą. A certified translation reproduces them exactly, because dropping a diacritic changes the spelling and breaks the match with the passport.
birth certificate translationMy older Lithuanian certificate has Russian text — is that translated too?
Yes. Certificates from the Soviet period can carry Russian-language stamps or entries; a complete certified translation renders every part of the document, not only the Lithuanian text.
Russian translation servicesHow much does a Lithuanian document translation cost?
Pricing is per page. A one-page liudijimas is a single page; a diploma supplement or multi-page record is priced by page count. Notarization and e-apostille are optional add-ons.
see live pricingCan I translate my own Lithuanian documents?
No. USCIS and universities reject self-translation. An independent qualified translator must complete and certify the translation with a statement of accuracy.
what a certified translation isRequirements in related countries
Neighbors and countries with a similar translation standard.
Sources
- Notarial functions, including apostilleLithuanian Chamber of Notaries
- Lithuania — designated Apostille competent authoritiesHague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH)
Information verified against official sources. Last verified June 2026.
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Signed Certificate of Accuracy with every order, a revise-free-or-refund acceptance guarantee, optional notarization and e-apostille — delivered in 24–48 hours.