What is an Apostille? A Complete Guide
Many nations came together in 1961 to develop a streamlined procedure for “legalizing” papers to ensure their acceptance worldwide.
A document known as an Apostille was adopted by participants in the conference, also known as the Hague Convention, and would be accepted by all of the member nations.
Read further to know more about apostille!
A document known as an Apostille was adopted by participants in the conference, also known as the Hague Convention, and would be accepted by all of the member nations.
Read further to know more about apostille!
What is an Apostille Certificate?
The Hague Convention of 1961 established the Apostille as a means of certifying papers for use abroad.
Its sole purpose is to validate the veracity of a document’s signature.
Foreign countries employ both apostilles and certifications to evaluate the veracity of an official signature on a document, the authority in which the signer operated, and the identity of any stamp or seal used to affix the signature. The Secretary of the Commonwealth has granted “full faith and credit” to the official’s seal and signature when the Department of State apostilles or certifies a document. It proves that the person who signed it is a Pennsylvania official.
Its sole purpose is to validate the veracity of a document’s signature.
Foreign countries employ both apostilles and certifications to evaluate the veracity of an official signature on a document, the authority in which the signer operated, and the identity of any stamp or seal used to affix the signature. The Secretary of the Commonwealth has granted “full faith and credit” to the official’s seal and signature when the Department of State apostilles or certifies a document. It proves that the person who signed it is a Pennsylvania official.
What Does an Apostille Certificate Look Like?
A 9*9 centimeter stamp bearing the word “Apostille” is directly applied to the document that needs to be validated (Hague Convention of 1961)
Usually, a translation of the original is required by the designated country’s authorities. In this situation, the translation rather than the original document needs to be certified. You could require a translation from a sworn translator depending on the type of paper.
An Apostille Certificate must adhere to a predetermined format and contain the following details to be considered a legitimate document:
Usually, a translation of the original is required by the designated country’s authorities. In this situation, the translation rather than the original document needs to be certified. You could require a translation from a sworn translator depending on the type of paper.
An Apostille Certificate must adhere to a predetermined format and contain the following details to be considered a legitimate document:
- Country of issue
- Who has signed the document
- The capacity in which the person signed the document
- Details of any seal on document
- Place of issue
- Date of issue
- Issuing authority
- Apostille Certificate number
- Stamp of issuing authority
- Signature of representative of issuing authority
Who Needs an Apostille and What For?
Only nations who are signatories to the Multilateral Hague Convention may use an apostille.
At the bottom of this blog is a list of the states taking part in this conference.
Here’s when a Hague Apostille is required:
- The issuing nation of the document is a signatory to the Apostille Convention.
- The document’s intended-to-use country is a signatory to the Apostille Convention.
- The paper is regarded as a public document under the laws of the nation where it was released.
- The document needs to be apostille-ed before it can be recognized as a foreign public in the country where it will be utilized.
How to Get an Apostille and Where to Apply?
The document’s owner must submit an apostille application in the nation where the document was created.
Which authority is in charge of issuing the apostille is a decision made by each Hague Convention signatory state. Additionally, the cost of apostille issuance varies per nation.
You must send the following information to get an apostille:
Which authority is in charge of issuing the apostille is a decision made by each Hague Convention signatory state. Additionally, the cost of apostille issuance varies per nation.
You must send the following information to get an apostille:
- Authenticate an original notarized document or an original certification-compliant certified copy of a notarized document.
- The cost is $15 per document (a document can be more than one page).
- Apostille or Certificate of Authentication Request Form from the Secretary of State, which includes:
- Money order payable in U.S. dollars (USD) to the nation whose documents are being sought. (Countries require various certifications, and without this information, the document cannot be validated.)
- A daytime number to call with inquiries
- Information on where the processed documents should be mailed
Hague Apostille Country List
So, if you are living in one of the countries that abide by the Hague Conventions, make sure you get an Apostille. If all the legalities are too much for you to handle, hire a service that can easily get you an Apostille.
