Frequently Asked Questions
Government Services for Expats in Bahrain
1. General Information
An apostille is an official certification that authenticates the origin of a public document, allowing it to be recognized in countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention.
Apostille services may apply to various official documents, including educational certificates, personal documents, legal documents, and other government-issued documents, depending on the requirements of the destination country.
Can CleanSheet Group apostille documents issued outside the country where the apostille is provided?
No. Apostille services can only be provided for documents issued within the applicable jurisdiction. For example, a birth certificate issued in one country cannot be apostilled in another country where it was not issued.
Apostilled documents are accepted by countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. If the destination country is not part of the convention, a different legalization procedure is required.
No. Apostille requirements vary depending on the destination country and document type. Requirements such as translation and certification may differ based on the receiving authority.
2. Application Process
Digital copies are required as part of the initial authorisation and review process. They help CleanSheet Group assess the required service, verify document details and condition, identify requirements before processing, and accurately complete the online application.
No. A clear copy of the applicant’s passport or identification document is sufficient. The original identification document is not required.
The required documents depend on the type of service requested. CleanSheet Group will advise the applicant of the required documents and any additional information needed during the application process.
Yes and no.
Yes. Documents requiring an apostille or legalisation are required to be submitted as Original physical copy. CleanSheet Group will confirm the exact document requirements after reviewing the application.
No. Identification documents, such as passports or residency IDs, are only required in digital format and do not need to be submitted as originals.
The applicant can submit original documents through one of the following options:
- Request document collection from the preferred location.
- Deliver documents directly to an agreed location.
A CleanSheet Group representative will contact the applicant to confirm the most convenient arrangement and coordinate the next steps.
CleanSheet Group aims to make the document collection process as convenient as possible. A representative will contact the applicant to arrange a suitable date and time.
In most cases, document collection can be arranged on the next business day or at a time that best suits the applicant’s availability. Collection services are available between 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM.
Yes. An authorised person may submit or collect documents on behalf of the applicant, subject to CleanSheet Group’s identity verification and authorisation requirements.
For document delivery, an OTP (One-Time Password) will be sent to the registered email address provided during the application process. The OTP must be provided to the CleanSheet Group representative at the time of delivery to verify that the documents are received by the authorised person.
3. Processing & Timelines
Processing times depend on the document type and any specific requirements. In general, end-to-end apostille processing is completed within 2–3 business days after CleanSheetGroup received and verified the required original documents and payment. This timeframe includes any required translation and notarization services.
The timeframe depends on the type of legalisation required, document requirements, and whether additional services such as translation or certification are needed.
CleanSheet Group will confirm the expected timeline after reviewing the documents and determining the required process.
Yes. Every application is reviewed before processing begins. CleanSheet Group verifies the document requirements, applicable process, and required supporting documents before proceeding with the request.
If any information or documents are missing, CleanSheet Group will notify the applicant and advise on the required next steps, including any additional charges that may apply. Processing will continue once all required information and documents have been received.
4. Payment & Fees
The cost depends on the document type, required service, and any additional requirements such as translation or additional certifications.
After reviewing the documents, CleanSheet Group will provide a quotation and invoice outlining the applicable fees before processing begins.
CleanSheet Group’s payment process is fully digital.
After receiving and reviewing the documents, CleanSheet Group will send the applicant a quotation and invoice together with a secure payment link. Once payment is completed, the request will proceed for processing.
All service requests are considered final once processing has commenced.
CleanSheet Group’s services involve coordination, processing, and payments with government entities and authorised third parties, many of which are non-refundable. As a result, service fees are generally not refundable once the request has been submitted and processing has started.
5. Tracking & Delivery
The applicant will receive email notifications throughout the different stages of the application.
The applicant can also log in to the account through the CleanSheet Group website to track the status of the request.
Once the legalisation process is completed, a CleanSheet Group representative will contact the applicant to arrange delivery of the original documents to the address provided in the application.
For security purposes, an OTP (One-Time Password) will be sent to the registered email address. The applicant must provide this OTP to the representative upon delivery to confirm receipt by the authorised person.
6. Additional Services
Yes. Where translation is required, CleanSheet Group coordinates certified translation services as part of the document processing journey.
Yes. Where notarisation is required as part of the document processing requirements, CleanSheet Group coordinates notarisation services to support the completion of the required apostille or legalisation process.
7. Security & Data Protection
Yes. CleanSheet Group handles all documents and personal information with strict confidentiality and applies secure procedures throughout the collection, processing, storage, and delivery stages.
CleanSheet Group maintains internationally recognised certifications, including ISO 9001 Quality Management System (QMS) and ISO/IEC 27001 Information Security Management System (ISMS), demonstrating our commitment to consistent service delivery, information security, and the protection of customer data.
Documents and personal information are retained only for as long as required to complete the requested service, meet applicable legal or operational requirements, and maintain appropriate service records.