Updated time: Mar 8, 2016 , 17:31 (UTC+08:00)
Benefits of the Apostille
With the Hague Convention the whole legalisation process has been deeply simplified by the delivery of a standard certificate entitled: “Apostille”. Authorities of the State where the document was issued must place the certificate on it; it will be dated, numbered and registered. This makes the verification and registration much easier to be finalized: a request of information to the authorities who forwarded the certificate.
List of countries which recognise Apostille certificates
The Hague convention has currently over 60 countries as members; furthermore many others will also recognise an Apostille certificate.
- A Albania, Andora, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan (from 02/03/2005)
- B Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria
- C Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic
- D Dominica
- E El Salvador
- F Fiji, Finland, France, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
- G Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guyana
- H Honuras, Hong Kong (SAR), Hungary
- I Ireland, Israel, Italy
- J Japan
- K Kazakhstan, Kiribati
- L Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg
- M Macau (SAR), Malawi, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco
- N Netherlands (including Aruba; Netherlands Antilles), New Zealand, Niue, Norway
- P Panama, Portugal (including Madeira)
- R Romania, Russian Federation
- S Samoa, Serbia and Montenegro, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, San, Marino, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain (including the Canary Islands), Sri Lanka, Surinam, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland
- T Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Turkey, Tuvalu
- U Ukraine, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America (including Puerto Rico)
- V Vanuatu, Venezuela
- Y Yugoslavia
Other Countries
The countries listed below have approved the Apostille Certificate as proof of legalisation. Although it is likely to be accepted most of the times, a consultation with the legal entity supposed to receive it is recommended
- A Affars and the Issas, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Aruba
- B Bermuda, Brazil, British Antarctic Territory, British Virgin Islands
- C Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Comoros Islands
- D Denmark, Djibouti
- E Egypt, Estonia
- F Falkland Islands, French Guiana, French Polynesia
- G Georgia, Gibraltar, Guadeloupe, Guernsey (Bailiwick of), Guyana
- I Iceland
- J Jersey, Jordan
- M Malaysia, Martinique, Montserrat , Morocco, Mozambique
- N New Caledonia
- S Sri Lanka, St. Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, St. Helena, St. Pierre and Miquelon
- T Turks and Caicos
- V Virgin Islands
- W Wallis and Futuna