What is Hague Apostille?

The Hague Apostille is a special certificate that verifies the authenticity of a public document issued in one country, so that it can be used in another country that is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention. The Hague Apostille Convention is an international treaty that simplifies the legalisation of documents for international use. It was signed in The Hague, Netherlands, on 5 October 1961, and entered into force on 24 January 1965. As of April 2021, there are 118 countries that have joined the Convention.

What is the purpose of the Hague Apostille?

The purpose of the Hague Apostille is to eliminate the need for multiple certifications of a public document by different authorities in the country of origin and the country of destination. Before the Convention, a public document had to go through a complex and costly process of legalisation, which involved obtaining a series of stamps, seals, or signatures from various officials, such as notaries, judges, ministries, consulates, or embassies. This process could take a long time and vary from country to country.

The Hague Apostille simplifies this process by requiring only one certification, which is the apostille itself. The apostille is a standardised form that is attached to the public document by a designated authority in the country of origin. The apostille certifies the origin, authenticity, and validity of the document and its signature, seal, or stamp. The apostille does not certify the content or accuracy of the document.

The Hague Apostille is accepted by all the countries that are parties to the Convention, without any further legalisation. This means that the public document with the apostille can be used directly in any of these countries, without any additional verification or validation. The Hague Apostille facilitates the international exchange of documents and the recognition of foreign public documents.

What types of documents can be apostilled?

The Hague Convention Apostille applies to public documents that are issued by a public authority or a person acting in an official capacity in the country of origin. Public documents include, but are not limited to, the following types of documents:

– Administrative documents, such as certificates of residence, citizenship, or marital status
– Judicial documents, such as court judgments, decrees, or orders
– Notarial documents, such as deeds, wills, powers of attorney, or affidavits
– Educational documents, such as diplomas, degrees, or transcripts
– Vital records, such as birth, death, marriage, or divorce certificates

The Hague Apostille Convention does not apply to the following types of documents:

– Documents issued by diplomatic or consular agents
– Documents related to commercial or customs operations
– Documents that are not considered public documents in the country of origin or destination

How to obtain a Hague Apostille?

To obtain a Hague Apostille, you need to contact the designated authority in the country where the public document was issued. Each country that is a party to the Convention has one or more authorities that are authorised to issue apostilles. These authorities may be courts, ministries, notaries, or other public officials. You can find the list of designated authorities for each country on the website of the Hague Conference on Private International Law.

You need to submit your original public document to the designated authority, along with any required forms, fees, or supporting documents. The designated authority will then verify the document and issue the apostille, which will be attached to the document or a certified copy of it. The apostille will contain the following information:

– The country of origin of the document
– The name and capacity of the person who signed the document
– The name and seal or stamp of the authority that issued the document
– The date and place of issuance of the apostille
– The name and seal or stamp of the authority that issued the apostille
– The number and registration of the apostille
– The signature of the authority that issued the apostille

Once you have obtained the apostille, you can use your public document in any of the countries that are parties to the Convention, without any further legalisation. You should check with the authorities or organisations that request your document if they have any specific requirements or preferences regarding the format, language, or presentation of the document and the apostille.

The Hague Apostille is a useful and convenient way to legalise your public documents for international use. It saves you time, money, and hassle, and it ensures that your document will be recognised and accepted by the authorities and organisations in the country of destination. If you need to use a public document abroad, you should check if the Hague Apostille Convention applies to your document and your destination country, and if so, how to obtain the apostille from the designated authority in your country of origin.