Apostille
An Apostille is a form of authentication issued to documents for use in countries that participate in the Hague Convention of 1961. The term originates from French, meaning “certification.” It is a specialized certificate that is attached to the original document to verify its legitimacy and authenticity.
Purpose of Apostille
The primary purpose of an Apostille is to simplify the process of legalizing documents for international use. It essentially certifies the signature and the position of the official who has issued the document. By doing this, it removes the need for further authentication by the embassy or consulate of the foreign country where the document will be used.
The Hague Apostille Convention
The Apostille system was established under the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents, also known as the Hague Apostille Convention, in 1961. Countries that are signatories to this convention recognize the Apostille as a valid form of legalization for public documents, including birth certificates, court orders, or academic records.
Process of Obtaining an Apostille
To obtain an Apostille, the document in question must first be certified by an authority recognized by the country where the document was issued. The Apostille is then attached to this certified copy by a designated competent authority, such as a government office or a court. The specific process and the authority responsible for issuing Apostilles vary by country.
Common Usage of Apostille
Apostilles are commonly used for a wide range of documents, including, but not limited to, legal contracts, educational documents like diplomas and transcripts, marriage certificates, and business documents. This certification is essential for individuals and entities engaging in international activities where document authenticity needs to be unquestionably established.
List of Countries Recognizing Apostille
Following are the Hague Convention States:
| Hague Convention Countries |
| Andorra |
| Argentina |
| Armenia |
| Australia |
| Austria |
| Bahamas |
| Belgium |
| Belize |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| Brazil |
| Bulgaria |
| Burkina Faso |
| Canada |
| Chile |
| China |
| Colombia |
| Costa Rica |
| Croatia |
| Cyprus |
| Czech Republic |
| Denmark |
| Dominican Republic |
| Ecuador |
| El Salvador |
| Estonia |
| Fiji |
| Finland |
| France |
| Germany |
| Greece |
| Guatemala |
| Honduras |
| Hong Kong |
| Hungary |
| Iceland |
| Ireland |
| Israel |
| Italy |
| Jamaica |
| Japan |
| Latvia |
| Lithuania |
| Luxembourg |
| Macau |
| Macedonia |
| Malta |
| Mauritius |
| Mexico |
| Monaco |
| Montenegro |
| Morocco |
| Netherlands |
| New Zealand |
| Norway |
| Panama |
| Paraguay |
| Peru |
| Poland |
| Portugal |
| Romania |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis |
| San Marino |
| Serbia |
| Singapore |
| Slovakia |
| Slovenia |
| South Africa |
| South Korea |
| Spain |
| Sri Lanka |
| Sweden |
| Switzerland |
| Thailand |
| Trinidad and Tobago |
| Turkey |
| Ukraine |
| United Kingdom |
| Uruguay |
| Venezuela |
| Zimbabwe |
Obtaining an Apostille in Australia
In Australia, the Apostille stamp is issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). DFAT is the competent authority responsible for certifying that a signature, stamp, or seal on an official Australian public document is genuine by affixing the Apostille.