The process “Apostillar” is a unique legalization, and results from placing in a public or private document, a note or document that certifies the authenticity to be used in another country.
An “apostille” is a form of authentication issued to documents issued by a country for use in other countries participating in the Hague Convention of 1961. If the country of destination does not participate in the Hague Convention, the documents Are sent to that country can be “authenticated” or “certified” in the respective Embassy or Consulate of that country.
It is used to use a document from one country to another country, it can be an official document or a certified copy of an official document. For example, for marriages, adoptions and international inheritances, but also for simple contracts. The apostille is an official certification that the document is an original or a true copy of the original. However, it does not certify that the content of the original document is correct.
There are currently 110 members of the Apostille Convention:
Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile (since 30 August 2016), China (Hong Kong and Macao only), Cyprus, Canada, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Greece, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, the Czech Republic, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Morocco (since 14 August 2016), Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Nicaragua, Norway, New Zealand, Netherlands, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Spain United Kingdom, Dominican Republic, Republic of Macedonia, Romania, Russia, Serbia, South Africa, Suriname, Sweden, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkey, Ukraine, Uruguay, Venezuela and Vietnam.
The Apostille of The Hague may be requested by any person carrying a public document whose authenticity he wishes to certify.
The apostille can be applied in:
a. Documents from an authority or official linked to a State jurisdiction, including those from the Public Prosecutor’s Office or from a secretary, officer, judicial agent and Public Notary.
b. Administrative documents certified by a Notary Public.
c. Official certifications that have been placed on private documents, such as the certification of the registration of a document, the certification on the certainty of a date and the official and notarial authentications of signatures in private documents.
However, it shall not apply to:
a. Documents issued by diplomatic or consular officials.
b. Administrative documents directly related to a commercial or customs operation.
Apostilled documents do not need to be authenticated by the consular office in the country where the documents were issued, nor by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
