What is an Apostille?

What is the Apostille Convention and what it does:

Through the so-called Apostille a signatory to the Hague Convention recognizes the validity of a public document issued in another country party to that Convention.

The Hague Apostille (or simply endorsement , also in French : apostille , "note" or " entry" ) is a simplified method of legalizing documents in order to verify its authenticity in the field of private international law . 

The process of legalization only -called apostilla- on the public document itself an apostille or note that the authenticity of public documents issued to certify placed in another country. 
Physically it consists of a sheet that is added ( attached to reverse or on an additional page ) to documents stamped by the competent authority on a copy of a public document. 

It was introduced as an alternative to legalization by the Hague Convention (also known as the Hague Convention and Hague Conference on Private International Law ) dated October 5, 1961 .

The signatories of the Treaty of XII Hague Conference on Private International Law of October 5, 1961, therefore, recognize the authenticity of the documents issued in other countries and carry an apostille.

The Hague Apostille abolishes the requirement of diplomatic and consular legalization for public documents originating in one Convention country and intended to be used in another. Issued in a treaty country documents certified by an apostille must be recognized in any other Convention country without any further authentication type.


Documents on which the application: public documents

The Apostille can be used:
a) documents emanating from an authority or an official connected to a state jurisdiction, including those of the Public Ministry or a secretary, official or judicial agent.
b) Administrative documents.
c) Official certifications that have placed on private documents, such as certification of registration of a certification document at a certain date and official and notarial authentications of signatures on private documents.

However, do not apply to:
a) to documents executed by diplomatic or consular officials.
b) administrative documents directly with commercial or customs operations.