What is an Apostille stamp?
An Apostille (under the Hague Convention) is an official certification issued for public documents. Once applied, the document becomes legally recognised for use in countries that are members of the Hague Convention, simplifying the process of international document validation.

What is the Hague Convention?
The Hague Convention, established in The Hague, Netherlands on 5 October 1961, introduced a standardised system for authenticating public documents between member countries. Its purpose is to eliminate the need for complex and time-consuming legalisation procedures when using documents abroad.

An Apostille confirms the authenticity of a document, including the signature, the capacity of the person signing it, and any official seal or stamp. Common documents include birth certificates, marriage certificates, court documents, notarised papers, academic certificates and other official records.

The Apostille is valid only in countries that are part of the Hague Convention. If the destination country is not a member, further legalisation through the relevant embassy or consulate may be required.