Algeria Clarifies Stamp Duty Payment Procedures for Apostille Certificates

The General Directorate of Taxes has outlined the payment procedures for Algeria’s newly introduced Apostille certification system, specifying applicable stamp duties, payment channels and replacement rules as the country implements the Hague Convention’s simplified document authentication framework.

By Dr. Hana Saada

ALGIERS, July 9 — Algeria’s General Directorate of Taxes (DGI) has detailed the procedures for paying the stamp duty applicable to Apostille certificates, setting out the fees, payment methods and replacement process as authorities roll out the country’s simplified international document authentication system.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the DGI said each Apostille certificate is subject to a 1,500 Algerian dinar ($) stamp duty, in accordance with Article 142 sexies of Algeria’s Stamp Duty Code.

The administration said the fee may be paid either at local tax offices or designated post offices. Upon payment, applicants will immediately receive a secure self-adhesive fiscal stamp, which serves as official proof of payment and must be affixed to the Apostille certificate.

The DGI added that, in cases where the fiscal stamp is lost, damaged or stolen, a replacement may be obtained from the issuing authority upon payment of a reduced 600-dinar stamp duty.

The tax authority emphasized that the Apostille procedure applies exclusively to public documents intended for use in countries that are parties to the 1961 Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents, which replaces traditional consular legalization with the simplified Apostille certification process.

The system covers documents issued by several Algerian public institutions, including the Ministries of Interior, Justice, Higher Education, National Education, and Vocational Training.

Applications for Apostille certificates are submitted electronically through the national Apostille portal or according to procedures established by the relevant administrative authorities.

The DGI called on applicants to complete stamp duty payments through authorized tax offices or designated post offices, reaffirming its commitment to supporting the implementation of the new system as part of broader efforts to deliver a more modern, simplified and efficient public service.