General International Documents
Apostille Is Part of the Hague Convention System
DIRCO identifies the Apostille Convention as the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961, which abolishes the requirement of legalisation for foreign public documents between applicable parties.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Hague Apostille Convention?
It is an international convention that simplifies the authentication of public documents for use between participating countries.
When does the apostille system apply?
It applies where the relevant countries and document fall within the convention's scope.
Does it apply to every country?
No. Countries outside the convention can require a Certificate of Authentication or another process.
Source: DIRCO – Legalisation Services