What is an Apostille?

An Apostille is an authentication certificate or seal that is affixed to public documents. Apostille seals authenticate the signature and seals of officials on public documents such as marriage certificates, power of attorney, divorce decrees, birth certificates, and other documents issued by a federal agency.

Public documents that were signed by a public official and that are intended to be used in a foreign country can be Apostille. Documents that were properly signed by a Notary Public are eligible for the Apostille.

An apostille certifies the document, so that the document can be recognized as valid in foreign countries which are also members of the 1961 Hague Convention. Apostille(s) are issued by countries that are party to the Apostille Hague Convention