What Information is Included on an Apostille?
An apostille is a form of authentication that verifies the authenticity of public documents and is required for legal documents to be recognized in countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention.
When an apostille is affixed to a document, it certifies the authenticity of the document and ensures that it is recognized as valid in the receiving country. Here is the information that is typically included on an apostille:
- Country of origin The apostille will indicate the country of origin of the document. This is important because it helps the receiving country to determine the legal significance of the document and its validity.
- Issuing authority The apostille will include the name of the issuing authority, which is typically the government agency that issued the document. This is important because it helps the receiving country to verify the authenticity of the document and the authority of the issuer.
- Document type The apostille will specify the type of document that it is authenticating, such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or diploma. This helps the receiving country to understand the purpose of the document and its legal significance.
- Date of issue The apostille will include the date on which the document was issued. This is important because it helps the receiving country to determine the timeliness of the document and its relevance to the matter at hand.
- Name and signature of the issuing authority The apostille will include the name and signature of the authorized official who issued the apostille. This helps the receiving country to verify the authenticity of the document and the authority of the issuing official.
In summary, an apostille is a form of authentication that verifies the authenticity of public documents. The information included on an apostille typically includes the country of origin, issuing authority, document type, date of issue, and name and signature of the issuing authority. By including this information, an apostille ensures that a public document is recognized as valid in the receiving country.
