In some countries the IB document Diploma Programme Results needs to be legalized in Geneva, Switzerland by the relevant chancellery, embassy and/or consulate to be valid for entrance to universities.
The Two Different DP Documents
IB Diploma Programme Results: when requested the International Baccalaureate always legalizes the Diploma Programme Results document showing the results that the candidate obtained.
IB Diploma which only shows the candidate’s name is legalized only in exceptional circumstances when specifically required.
In some cases, certain universities in Argentina, Mexico, Lebanon and Egypt may require the legalization of the Diploma itself in addition to the Diploma Programme Results, but in most cases it is just the results that need to be legalized.
If legalization is requested by the coordinator, the IB Assessment Centre in Cardiff, UK will send to the IB Foundation Office in Geneva, Switzerland the relevant Diploma Programme Results documents, showing the grades obtained by the candidates. The corresponding Diplomas are sent to schools for the attention of coordinators once legalization is completed.
When the IB coordinator enters a candidate’s name on IBIS, it must be spelled in the same way as the name on the candidate’s passport. If this is not the case, the consulates will refuse to legalize the IB Diploma.
Some countries demand copies of passports, please see the accompanying IB document “Legalization Information” for details. Copies of passports should be submitted with the Legalization request form on IBIS.
Diploma Programme Course Results for candidates who do not obtain the Diploma, will not be legalized unless this is specifically requested.
After legalization, legalized Diploma Programme Results documents will be mailed to the appropriate schools by special courier service. In the interest of the candidates requesting legalization, and given the strict deadlines to enroll in universities, the legalization service makes every effort to expedite the legalization process, in a short timeline. However, this is largely dependent on the external stakeholders involved.
Legalization Fees
There is an additional charge for legalization that will be the responsibility of the student.
Legalization requests for one, two or more “apostille” countries, shown with an asterisk on the list of “Countries concerned”, will be invoiced only once, as one Apostille Stamp covers all the mentioned countries. Legalization requests for the “consulate countries” will be invoiced as many times as legalization requests for a single different country are made.
Countries Requiring Legalization
See this link to the public IB website that highlights many of the countries that have traditionally required legalization. Requirements may be imposed by other countries so it is the responsibility of the candidate to check with their university.