An apostille is a form of international certification that authenticates the origin of a public document, such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or diploma. It is a standardized document with a specific format that is recognized and accepted by countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention, which was established on October 5, 1961. The purpose of an apostille is to streamline the process of document authentication and eliminate the need for additional certification by the receiving country’s embassy or consulate.
The apostille process involves obtaining an apostille stamp or seal from the issuing country’s designated authority, which verifies the document’s authenticity. This makes it easier for people to use their public documents in foreign countries that are also members of the convention. For example, if you want to use your birth certificate in another member country, you would obtain an apostille from the designated authority in the country where the birth certificate was issued.
Keep in mind that the apostille process only applies to countries that have joined the Hague Apostille Convention. If a country is not a member, you may need to go through a different process, such as consular legalization or authentication, to have your public documents recognized in that country.
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