Understanding the Types of Documents Eligible for Apostille Attestation Under the Hague Convention
Updated on: 24 Aug 2024
Apostille is the process of certification of the documents for use in the countries that are members of the Hague convention. International convention was signed in 1961 with the aim of promoting and easing the means for legalization. For a document to be attested through Apostille procedure it should conform to certain norms set by the convention.
Documents which come under the category of Apostille Attestation are as follows:
1. Public Documents:
- Administrative Documents: These are the legal documents within which there include, birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates; divorce and adoption documents as prepared by the government.
- Court Documents: As per the legal aspects, any document specially documents, judgments, affidavits, and any other legal document is accepted for apostille attestation.
- Certificates of Registration: For example, documents which are business registration certificates and any other paper which will state the capacity of the holder from any government station.
- Police Clearance Certificates: The certificates which are mostly required are certificates of criminal record check or police clearance certificates mostly for immigration purposes, employment or for studying in other country and most of the times these certificates can be apostilled.
2. Educational Documents:
- Diplomas and Degrees: Qualifying certificates which can be apostilled include certificates of education, credentials, diplomas, transcripts issued by school, college, and universities.
- Mark Sheets: Individual academic records, mark sheets, etc, are also legalised through apostille for use in higher learning institutions or employment in other countries.
- Educational Certificates: Other official documents also acceptable for apostille include the official certificates awarded in the end of the educational courses.
3. Commercial Documents:
- Power of Attorney: Documents in legal writing that grant its owner the authority to perform actions in civil activities for and in the behalf of another individual.
- Invoices, Bills of Lading, and Contracts: Any of the commercial contracts as well as any other document that can be normally used in the operation of the international business can be apostilled.
- Certificates of Origin: Other documents that can be apostilled include the certificates of origin of goods which are exported.
- Trademark and Patent Registrations: Legal documents surrounding patent, trademark and every other enforceable asset documents acknowledging inventions to brands.
When a document is apostilled, there will be a stamp attached to the document as an international certificate referred as apostille to attest to the authenticity of the signatures, seals or stamps on the document. This apostille is recognized in all the member countries of the Hague convention hence no further legalizations or any additional procedures and attestations from the embassies and consulates is required.
Exceptions:
There are many categories of documents which are not subject to apostille attestation, yet may be legalized in a different manner. Diplomatic and consular acts, as well as documents that contain direct reference to the customs or to dealings in goods. Also, the countries those are not part of Hague convention will not accept apostille.
In general, apostille attestation helps to eliminate the problems related to the acknowledgment of documents and the determination of their recognition in other countries Parties of the Treaty.
Apostille attestation is by far one of the most recognized legal proceedings that can significantly ease the legalization of any document that may be needed in any of the Hague convention countries. The general requirements for Apostille attestation are that the document must be a public document or a notarized certificate or commercial document or legal document or personal document. By understanding these requirements, it is easier to seek Apostille attestation as for example documents like identification documents, educational certificates, statement of marriages, and related documents.
For Assistance Contact:- Brilliance
Attestation