1. What is Apostille?
An Apostille (pronounced “ah-po-steel”) is a French word meaning certification. It certifies the authenticity of a public document, signature or stamp. It is a form of authentication issued to documents for use in countries that participate in the Hague Convention of 1961. Here is a list of countries that accept Apostilles.
The apostille ensures that public documents issued in one member country will be recognized as valid in another member country. Since the introduction of the apostille as a form of notarial certification, the international transfer of documents has become far easier and faster. Apostilles require no further diplomatic or consular legalization.
2. What's the process of Apostille?
A. Have your documents notarized by a notary public (if any) or get an original document or a certified copy from the authorities.
B. Get the Apostille from the Secretary of State or the U.S. Department of State.
State-issued documents need to be apostilled by the Secretary of State where the documents were issued. A state-issued document with an apostille does not require additional certification by the U.S. Department of State or legalization by a U.S. embassy or consulate overseas to be recognized in a participating country.
Federally-issued documents need to be apostilled by the U.S. Department of State.
3. What countries are members of the Hague Apostille Convention?
The Hague Conference has currently 83 Members: 82 States and 1 Regional Economic Integration Organisation.
A
Albania
Andorra
Argentina
Armenia
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
B
Belarus
Belgium
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
C
Canada
Chile
China (Hong Kong)
China (Macao)
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
D
Denmark
E
Ecuador
Egypt
Estonia
European Union
F
Finland
France
G
Georgia
Germany
Greece
H
Hungary
I
Iceland
India
Ireland
Israel
Italy
J
Japan
Jordan
K
Kazakhstan
Korea, Republic of
L
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
M
Malaysia
Malta
Mauritius
Mexico
Monaco
Montenegro
Morocco
N
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
O
Oman
P
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
R
Republic of Moldova
Republic of North Macedonia
Romania
Russian Federation
S
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
Sri Lanka
Suriname
Sweden
Switzerland
T
Tunisia
Turkey
U
Ukraine
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
United States of America
Uruguay
V
Venezuela
Viet Nam
Z
Zambia
The above Hague Apostille Country List is from The Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH)
Please note that if the document is issued by or will be used in a country that is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, the document should be authenticated (not apostilled) by the competent authorities and need additional legalization by a Consulate or Embassy office.
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