Legal materials can be divided into three types:
Notarised translations / translations certified by sworn translators;
Translations certified by a translating bureau;
Other legal translation materials.

I Notarised translations / translations certified by sworn translators

If you want to use documents abroad that have been prepared in Estonia or vice versa, they have to be translated, certified and legalised or certified/legalised by an apostille.
In Estonia, translations can be certified by:
notaries public;
sworn translators (see http://www.just.ee/).

In Estonia, translations of public documents can be notarised: court and administrative documents, documents connected to notarised operations and official certificates (issued by administrative agencies).
Depending on the source and target language of the document, certain procedures have to be followed after notarisation of the document.

If you want to present a public document issued in Estonia to a foreign administrative agency, follow the procedure below:
Have the document translated into the relevant language and the translation notarised.
a) If you would like to use the document in Latvia, Lithuania, the Ukraine, Russia or Poland, you do not have to follow any further procedures after it has been notarised. Estonia has concluded a mutual legal assistance agreement with the said countries and you can use public documents that have been issued, translated and notarised in Estonia in these countries without legalisation (See below.).
b) If you would like to use the document in another country, you have to obtain an apostille for the notarised translation (if the document is to be used in a country that has joined the Hague Convention) or a legalisation seal (if the document is to be used in a country that has not joined the Hague Convention).

If you would like to use a public document issued abroad in Estonian administrative agencies, follow the procedure below:
To put a document issued abroad into civil circulation in Estonia (i.e. in order to use the translated document in Estonian administrative agencies), it has to be legalised first, i.e. certified by apostille (in countries that have joined the Hague Convention) or have a legalisation seal affixed (in countries that have not joined the Hague Convention) in the relevant institution abroad.

Example:
First, a document issued by a foreign administrative agency (e.g. in Sweden) must be certified by apostille in the relevant administrative agency of the foreign country (the exact procedure varies in different countries). Next, it must be translated into Estonian and notarised in Estonia. After that, you can use the document in Estonian administrative agencies.
NB! Certification by apostille / legalisation of public documents that have been issued in Russia, Latvia, the Ukraine and Poland is not necessary.
Only public documents have to be certified by apostille and legalised (See the above explanation.). Other documents (e.g. resolutions of the Management Board of a company) are not certified by apostille / legalised and they do not have to be certified / legalised before translation in Estonia (If you are not certain, consult the Consular Department of the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
If you have any questions in connection with the above information or if you have a special case, contact our branches, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Estonia or a notary public.

Links:
Information about apostille by the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs http://www.vm.ee/est/kat_441/4583.html
Hague Conference on Private International Law http://www.hcch.net/index_en.php?act=states.listing

Information from the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
Calling from abroad: +372 631 7440, +372 631 7478
Calling from outside Tallinn within Estonia: +372 631 7440, +372 631 7478
Calling from Tallinn: 631 7440, 631 7478

II Translations certified by a translating bureau

If a public document issued abroad has not been certified by apostille or had a legalisation seal affixed, if documents have been received by fax or in any other case where notarisation of the translation is not possible or wanted, the translation bureau can seal the document with a company seal (and the clause, 'Translated in the xxx translation bureau.'). Such documents are accepted by several Estonian administrative agencies. However, we recommend that you clarify this possibility with specific administrative agencies!
Translations are certified by Luisa Translating Bureau as follows: we translate the document received, make a copy of the source document, bind it together with the translation, seal it and our responsible person signs it.

III Legal translation materials

The largest share of legal translation materials consists of contracts and court documents. Translators who have extensive experience in translation of legal texts in cooperation with proofreaders who are native speakers of the target language translate these materials. Most of the translators have been registered as entrusted translators in most notary offices in Tartu and Tallinn.
Upon translation of legal texts, it is important to cooperate with the client, especially in interpretation of specific details. It is important to pay attention to correct formalisation and wording of the source materials - it is the main precondition for ensuring the high quality of the translation and the final product.
If the materials contain confidential information, it is possible to conclude a confidentiality agreement with the client. The confidentiality principle applies to all orders without any contract as well, but it is always possible to conclude an agreement for ensuring confidentiality of the information contained in the materials and destruction of the materials after completion of the translation.