An apostille is a formal certification that validates a public document for use in another country. It's essentially a way to get one country to recognize a document issued by another country.
Here's a breakdown of how apostilles work:
Apostilles are used between specific countries: The Hague Convention abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents established a system for apostilles. Only countries that are part of this convention recognize apostilles.
Hague Apostille Convention: This convention simplifies the process of legalizing certain documents for use in another Hague Convention country. As of May 4, 2024, there are 123 members of the Hague Apostille Convention
Apostilles verify, not notarize: An apostille confirms the authenticity of the seal and signature on a public document, but it doesn't verify the content of the document itself. Also, you typically need to get the document notarized before you can get an apostille.
Issued by a government agency: You can't get an apostille from a notary public. In the U.S., each state or the federal government has a designated office that issues apostilles.
Common items: Birth Certificates • Marriage Certificates • Death Certificates • Divorce Decree • Single Status Affidavit • Background Checks (Local, State, FBI) • Power of Attorney • Copy of Passport • Copy of Driver License • Transcripts • Diplomas • Authorization Letter • Travel Consent Letter • Articles of Incorporation • Certificate of Good Standing • Certification of Free Sale • Certification of Origin • Corporate Power of Attorney • Commercial Invoice
If you need to use a public document in another country, you'll likely need to get an apostille. The exact process will vary depending on the issuing and receiving countries, so it's always a good idea to check with the embassy or consulate of the country where you'll be using the document.