Mea attestationapostile of documents and implementation of. Outline of the convention convention abolishing the requirement of legalisation for foreign public documents. The ministry of external affairs attests original documentstrue copies of documents for use abroad. Hague apostille member countries international apostille services. If both south africa and japan belong to the apostille convention, then an apostille is used to confirm the document between the two countries. The apostille handbook is a comprehensive reference tool that is designed to assist competent authorities in performing their functions under the apostille convention, as well as address issues that. The usa has been a party to the convention of 5 october 1961 abolishing the requirement of legalisation for foreign public documents, hereinafter.
Apostille or hague stamp neasc international education. Apostille for documents issued in the united states. We have also provide a list of nonmember countries. The hague convention abolishing the requirement of legalisation for foreign public. The hague convention also deals with issues of international child access. If the country you are looking for is not on this list then you. The hague convention of 1961 the purpose of the hague convention of 1961 is that it. Your first step is going to be to know which type of certification you require. The official list can be found at the hague conference on private international laws website.
A handbook on the practical operation of the apostille convention. The hague convention abolishing the requirement of legalization for foreign public. The apostille procedure consists in placing on a public document, or an extension thereof, an apostille or entry certifying the authenticity of the signature of public documents issued in a country signatory to the xii hague convention of 5 october 1961, abolishing the requirement of legalization of foreign public documents to have effect in another signatory country. An apostille is a form of authentication issued to documents for use in countries that participate in the hague convention of 1961. The usa and the hague apostille convention of 1961.
Apostille a special form of authentication certificate prepared under the terms of an international treaty known as the hague convention abolishing the requirement of legalization for foreign public documents. Hague convention requirements office of child support. Hague apostille member countries international apostille. How to obtain an apostille or certificate of authentication what is an apostille. As recognition of this fact the hague convention in 2009 amended the wording on apostille certificates to state that no one has checked whether the document contents are genuine or fake, that the process is signatory based. The complete hague country list apostille services get. It is the title given to the authentication certificate issued under the hague convention abolishing the requirement. Member countries of the hague conventoncurrently there are 101 members of the apostille convention. The abcs of apostilles is a brochure that is primarily addressed to users of apostilles with short answers to frequently asked questions, including when, where and how apostilles are issued and what their effects are. The hague convention apostille simplifies the authentication process by exempting documents certified with the apostille at. It is a procedure that simplifies the legalization of documents in order to verify the authenticity of the same and so that the documents could be valid internationally.
This treaty is called the hague convention abolishing the requirements of legalization for foreign public documents. If your document falls under the apostille process, we. The convention in 1961 is formally named the hague convention of 1961 abolishing the requirement of legislation for foreign public documents. The apostille is a specific form of authentication for countries that participate in the hague convention of 1961. Getting a uk apostille certificate the apostilles group.
The apostille procedure consists in applying an apostille or certification to a public document, or an extension of the same, which certifies the authenticity of the signature on public documents that have. Universal legalisation or the hague apostille personal. Ireland and international law the apostille convention of october 1961 the hague. Hague convention on the civil aspects of international. An apostille is a certificate issued by a designated authority in a country where a treaty called the hague convention abolishing the requirement for legalization of foreign public.
The following 117 countries are members of the hague apostille convention and will require an apostille from the secretary of the state or the us department of. Apostille and full legalization process for federallyissued. The present convention shall be open for signature by the states represented at the ninth session of the hague conference on private international law and iceland, ireland, liechtenstein and turkey. Apostille or authentication request form ss4504 documents with a signature of the tennessee state registrar such as birth, death, marriage and divorce certificates or the tennessee. A list of countries that participate in the apostille convention hague treaty convention 12.
The embassy does not have the authority to affix an apostille to documents issued in france or in other countries. Laws and customs of war on land hague, iv convention signed at the hague october 18, 1907, with annex of regulations senate advice andconsent to ratification march 10,1908 ratified by the. The hague convention abolishing the requirement of legalization for foreign public documents is one of a series of conventions of the hague conference on private international law. There are currently 117 countries who are members of the hague apostille convention. The certificate shall be issued at the request of the. The apostille procedure consists in applying an apostille or certification to a public document, or an extension of the same, which certifies the authenticity of the signature on public documents that have been issued in a country which has signed the xii hague convention, of 5 october, 1961, abolishing the requirement of legalisation for. The following countries are not members of the apostille convention and any document requested by these countries. The hague convention of 1961 the purpose of the hague convention of 1961 is that it abolishes the requirement of diplomatic and consular legalization for public documents originating in one convention country and intended for use. Apostille convention hague convention or treaty of 1961.
There are currently 117 countries who are members of the hague apostille. If the destination country is not listed above, contact the georgia. State issued documents for use in countries that are members of 1961 hague convention must be authenticated by the competent authority in the state where the document was executed. It provides a process through which a parent can seek to have their child returned to their home country. It shall be ratified, and the instruments of ratification shall be deposited with the ministry of foreign affairs of the netherlands. The apostille handbook is a comprehensive reference tool that is designed to assist competent authorities in performing their functions under the apostille convention, as well as address issues that arise in the contemporary operation of the convention. By mail an apostille can be requested by mail through our sacramento office. The convention eliminates the need for authentication above the level of the. The hague convention on the civil aspects of international child abduction the states signatory to the present convention, firmly convinced that the interests of children are of paramount importance in. How to obtain an apostille or certificate of authentication. It is a procedure that simplifies the legalization of documents in order to verify the authenticity of the same.
Legalizing documents for nigeria may require additional steps before the documents can be presented to the nigeria embassy or consulate office. As per the hague convention of 1961, there is a list of countries which require a document to go through the apostille process prior to being presented. Apostille canada hague convention what you need to know. The word apostille refers to a part of the hague convention, ratified by 19 countries in october 1961 and now applicable to 83 countries across the world, standardising acceptance practice for foreign public. Apostille the hague convention apostille or simply apostille, in french. The hague convention of 1961 the apostille convention one. The hague convention apostille simplifies the authentication process by exempting documents certified with the apostille at the state level from any additional. Hague convention member countries the following countries are currently members of the hague convention and they accept the apostille. Mar 01, 2019 the convention in 1961 is formally named the hague convention of 1961 abolishing the requirement of legislation for foreign public documents. The hague convention on the civil aspects of international child abduction is the main international agreement that covers international parental child abduction. The united states and france are both parties to the hague convention which abolishes the. What is the apostille section of the hague convention. Apostille or authentication request form ss4504 documents with a signature of the tennessee state registrar such as birth, death, marriage and divorce certificates or the tennessee secretary of state can be submitted for an apostille or an authentication without being notarized. Legalisations for states that are members of the hague convention.
Universal legalisation or the hague apostille personal formalities. To order hard copies of these publications, please use the order form doc. Obtaining citizenship or documenting acquired citizenship for adopted children. List of the states signatories to the hague convention of october 5, 1961 pdf. Its important to note that the process is a confirmation of signature, the content of the document is not validated. India, since 2005, is a member of the hague convention of october 5, 1961 that abolished the requirement of legalization of foreign public documents. We have provided a list of the members of the hague apostille countries. Convention countries united states department of state. An apostille is a form of authentication issued to documents for use in countries that participate in the hague convention of. Attestation done by the ministry of external affairs is of two types. The california secretary of state provides an apostille to authenticate california public officials signatures on documents to be used outside the united states of america.
A state issued document with an apostille does not require additional certification by the u. The hague convention on the civil aspects of international child abduction the states signatory to the present convention, firmly convinced that the interests of children are of paramount importance in matters relating to their custody, desiring to protect children internationally from the harmful. The hague or apostille convention defines how a document issued in any of the member countries can be certified for use among all the other members countries. Hague convention on the civil aspects of international child. This process is necessary for countries that are not. The apostille must be affixed at the government agency in the country which issued the original document. If the authenticated or notarized document is going to a country that does not appear on the hague convention list, the division will provide a certification of the public official.
If the country you are looking for is not on this list then you need an embassy legalization, we can help you with this too, please call for a quote 7186351274. If your document falls under the apostille process, we will obtain the secretary of state apostille certification or the us department of state apostille in washington dc, depending on the type. How to join and implement the hague apostille convention is a brief guide that is designed to assist authorities. This title must be written in french for the apostille to be valid article 4 of the convention. If the authenticated or notarized document is going to a country that does not appear on. Request an apostille california secretary of state. Nigeria document legalization international apostille. There is a detailed list of countries that fall under the apostille process which was established by the hague convention. There are two ways to obtain an apostille in california. Jul 20, 2019 the following 117 countries are members of the hague apostille convention and will require an apostille from the secretary of the state or the us department of state in washington, dc. Ireland and international law the apostille convention of october 1961 the hague conference on private international law an intergovernmental organisation based at the hague, the netherlands was created pursuant to the. Youll need an apostille if your destination country is a part of the. Hague convention for secretary of state apostille services. It is the title given to the authentication certificate issued under the hague convention abolishing the requirement of legalization for foreign public documents hague legalization convention.
When a document is to be used in a foreign country, it may be necessary to have it legalized or authenticated by a consulate or embassy. Thankfully, the name is shortened to the apostille convention. An apostille is a certificate issued by a designated authority in a country where a treaty called the hague convention abolishing the requirement for legalization of foreign public documents applies. The apostille procedure consists in applying an apostille or certification to a public document, or an extension of the same, which certifies the authenticity of the signature on public documents that have been issued in a country which has signed the xii hague convention, of 5 october, 1961, abolishing the requirement of legalisation for foreign public documents, which shall be accepted as valid in another signatory country to the convention.
The usa has been a party to the convention of 5 october 1961 abolishing the requirement of legalisation for foreign public documents, hereinafter the hague apostille convention, as a member since 1980 but it started issuing apostilles for public documents onafter october 15, 1981. If you do need documents legalized, whether you need a full legalization or an apostille depends on which country issued the document and which country you want to use the document in. State issued documents for use in countries that are members of 1961 hague convention must be authenticated by the competent authority in the state where the document was executed a state issued document with an apostille does not require additional certification by the u. On october 15, 1981, the hague convention abolishing the requirement of legalization for foreign public documents entered into force for the united states. Effective may 15, 2018, the minnesota secretary of states office will begin issuing a single authentication certificate apostille for documents to be used outside of the country. The hague convention of 1961 the apostille convention. Done at the hague the 5th october 1961, in french and in english. Apostille of the hague agreement of the hague, october 5th. If the country of intended use does not participate in the hague convention, documents being sent to that country can obtain a certificate of authentication. Listed below are the countries that are participants of the apostille convention hague treaty convention 12 and the convention is in force with the united states of america.
Laws and customs of war on land hague, iv convention signed at the hague october 18, 1907, with annex of regulations senate advice andconsent to ratification march 10,1908 ratified by the president of the united states february 23, 1909 procesverbaloffirst deposit ofratifications including that ofthe united states at the hague dated. Youll need an apostille if your destination country is a part of the hague convention, and authentication and legalization if the country is not. The division will provide an apostille if the transaction involves a country that subscribes to the hague convention. Nigeria is not a member of the hague apostille convention and any official document destined for this country will receive a certificate from the secretary of state. The embassy does not have the authority to affix an apostille to documents issued in france or in other. Minnesota secretary of state apostille authentication. Apostille and full legalization process for federally. Albania, argentina, australia, austria, belarus, belgium, bosniaherzegovina, bulgaria, china only hong kong and macao.
Hague convention on legalization of foreign public documents. Apostilles can only be issued for documents that a were issued in a country that signed the hague convention and b are to be used in a different country. The following 117 countries are members of the hague apostille convention and will require an apostille from the secretary of the state or the us department of state in washington, dc. The apostille itself is a stamp or printed form consisting of ten numbered standard fields.
The outcome of this international treaty established a way to authenticate public documents without having to enact legislation. The apostille ensures that public documents issued in one signatory country will be recognized as valid in another signatory country. Mea attestationapostile of documents and implementation. We provide fast document authentication services through all 50 u. Apostille and authentication country categories apostille stamp.