What is Apostille
An Apostille, also known as an "Additional Certificate," is a form of international document authentication established under the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961 (officially titled "Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents").
Note: As of September 2026, the Hague Convention has 130 member countries. China officially joined in March 2023, with effect from November 7, 2023.
The core function of Apostille is to replace the traditional "consular legalization" chain. Under the Hague Convention framework, member countries mutually recognize Additional Certificates issued by designated competent authorities, eliminating the need for embassy or consulate authentication, thereby simplifying the cross-border document circulation process.
Applicable Document Types
Apostille applies to public documents circulating between Hague Convention member countries, including:
- Civil Documents: Birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, criminal record certificates, death certificates, kinship certificates, adoption documents, etc.
- Educational Documents: Degree certificates, diplomas, transcripts, professional qualifications, etc.
- Commercial Documents: Certificates of incorporation, business licenses, articles of association, board resolutions, power of attorney, credit references, contracts, etc.
- Other Documents: Notarial certificates issued by notary offices, court judgments or rulings, etc.
Reminder: The above information is for reference only. Specific requirements may vary by country and document type. Please consult professionals or check official information before proceeding.
