Andorra updates list of officials authorized to issue apostilles

The Andorran authorities have given the right to apostille documents to the General Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Director of International Legal Affairs and Human Resources. The corresponding changes are posted on the official portal of the Hague Conference on Private International Law.

Apostille Convention Enters into Force for Bangladesh

On March 30, 2025, the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (commonly known as the Apostille Convention) entered into force for Bangladesh. This was reported by the Hague Conference on Private International Law.

A central authority has been established in the British Virgin Islands, authorized to apostille documents

On the British Virgin Islands, the office of the Deputy Governor has become the central authority authorized to apostille documents. This is reported by the portal of the Hague Conference on Private International Law.

France has completed another phase of the apostille reform

French municipalities have appointed special representatives who will interact with the High Council of Notaries regarding apostille matters. This is reported by MAIRE INFO.

The authorities of Iceland have updated the recommendations for apostille certification

On the Icelandic government services website, an updated recommendation for document apostille certification was posted in 2025.

The authorities of the Swiss canton of Zurich have published clarifications on the procedures for apostille and consular legalization

The State Chancellery of the canton of Zurich has published current clarifications on the procedure for the legalization of documents for their use abroad on its official portal.

The report of the Hague Conference on Private International Law for the year 2024 has been published

The Permanent Bureau of the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) has published a report on the activities of the organization in 2024. The report places significant emphasis on the development of document legalization through apostille.

The state of Iowa has switched to a unified certificate for apostille and consular legalization

The U.S. state of Iowa has transitioned to a new "unified" document legalization form for use abroad starting in 2025. This was announced by the official website of the state's Secretary of State.

Documents in Malta will be apostilled by a new authorized body

The Republic of Malta has replaced the official body authorized to carry out the procedure of certifying documents with an apostille. This was reported by the portal of the Hague Conference on Private International Law.

Five countries oppose Bangladesh's accession to Apostille Convention

On January 13, 2025, Belgium and Finland formally objected to the accession of the People's Republic of Bangladesh to the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents (Apostille Convention), the portal of the Hague Conference on Private International Law reported.

France Revolutionizes Apostille Procedures

France implemented significant reforms to its apostille procedures, effective January 1, 2025. These changes aim to streamline the process of authenticating French public documents for international use, enhancing efficiency and accessibility.

Global Apostille Developments: 2024 Highlights and 2025 Ambitions

As we usher in a new year, it’s the perfect moment to reflect on the significant progress made in 2024 within the realm of international document authentication and to set our sights on the exciting plans for 2025.

Germany recognizes apostilles from Kyrgyzstan: A milestone in document legalization

The Kyrgyz Republic has been an official contracting state of the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961 (also known as the Apostille Convention) since June 1, 2011. This international agreement simplifies the recognition of public documents abroad by replacing the lengthy consular legalization process with a streamlined apostille procedure.

Uruguayan Foreign Ministry Updates Apostille Processes

In November 2024, Uruguay's Ministry of Foreign Affairs introduced significant updates to its apostille processes, reflecting the country’s ongoing efforts to modernize and improve access to essential services.

Cayman Islands Streamlines Apostille Process with New Online Service

In 2024, the Cayman Islands government introduced a new procedure for legalizing extracts from the General Register, simplifying the process for obtaining apostilled documents. The service is now fully available through the government's online portal.

The Chinese government has issued clarifications on apostille and consular legalization

The State Council of the People's Republic of China (also known as the Central People's Government of the PRC) has posted a section on its official portal dedicated to apostille and consular legalization of documents.

Cuban authorities break consular legalization records and discuss the introduction of apostilization

More than 1.2 million documents have undergone consular legalization in Cuba in 2024. This is an important historical milestone, says the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, writes the CubaHeadlines publication.

Pakistan Launches Online Apostille

The Pakistani Foreign Ministry website and the Associated Press of Pakistan have announced the launch of an online apostille service in the Islamic Republic. The service is said to be available from September 11, 2024.

Thailand plans to join Apostille Convention

A conference entitled “Addressing International Private Law through the Lens of the Apostille Convention” was held in Thailand as part of the 62nd annual session of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO). This was reported on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand.

Pakistani authorities held a ceremony to join the Apostille Convention

Pakistan's Foreign Ministry held a ceremony to mark the Islamic Republic's accession to the 1961 Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents (Apostille Convention), Radio Pakistan reported.

Bangladesh has joined the Apostille Convention

The authorities of the People's Republic of Bangladesh officially deposited their instruments of accession to the Convention of 5 October 1961 for the Abolition of the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents, also known as the Apostille Convention, with the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) on July 29, 2024. The official website of the Hague Conference reports this.

Rwanda accedes to the Apostille Convention and applies for membership in the HCCH

On 6 October 2023, the Republic of Rwanda deposited its instrument of accession to the Convention of 5 October 1961, also known as the Apostille Convention.

The Apostille Convention entered into force in Senegal

On March 23, 2023, the Convention of October 5, 1961, abolishing the requirement for legalization of foreign official documents, entered into force for the Republic of Senegal. The corresponding statement is posted on the website of the Hague Conference on Private International Law.

Pakistan has joined the Apostille Convention

Certified documents from Pakistan will be accepted in more than a hundred countries.

Pakistan will join the Apostille Convention

Pakistani President Arif Alvi approved Islamabad's accession to the 1961 Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents.

Indonesia has joined the Apostille Convention

The Apostille Convention will officially enter into force in Indonesia on June 4, 2022. From this date, the parties to the Convention are obliged to waive the requirement of legalization of public documents issued by the Indonesian authorities and accept Apostilles issued by the authorized competent authority of Indonesia.

Indonesia ratified the Hague Convention

On January 5, 2021, Presidential Decree No. 2 on the ratification of the Hague Convention came into force in Indonesia. It means that the legalization of foreign public documents is no longer necessary.

Subscribe to Hague Convention 1961