Key Benefits:
Original text
(State on 11 June 2015)
This Convention shall apply to public acts which have been established in the territory of a Contracting State and which must be produced in the territory of another Contracting State.
The following are considered public acts within the meaning of this Convention:
However, this Convention does not apply to:
Each of the Contracting States shall exempt from legalization the acts to which this Convention applies and which must be produced in its territory.
Legalisation within the meaning of this Convention covers only the formality by which the diplomatic or consular agents of the country in whose territory the act is to be produced attest to the veracity of the signature, the quality in which the Signatory of the act has acted and, where appropriate, the identity of the seal or stamp of which that act is coated.
The only formality which may be required to attest to the veracity of the signature, the quality in which the signatory of the act has acted and, where appropriate, the identity of the seal or stamp of which that act is coated, is the apposition of the apostille defined at Art. 4, issued by the competent authority of the State from which the document emanates.
However, the formality referred to in the preceding paragraph may not be required where either the laws, regulations or practices in force in the State in which the act is produced or an agreement between two or more Contracting States dismiss it, simplify it or Provide the act of legalization.
The apostille provided for in art. 3, para. 1, shall be affixed to the act itself or on an extension; it shall conform to the model annexed to this Convention.
However, it may be in the official language of the issuing authority. The references therein may also be given in a second language. The title "Apostille (The Hague Convention of October 5, 1961)" shall be mentioned in French.
The apostille shall be issued at the request of the signatory or of any holder of the act.
It shall attest to the veracity of the signature, the quality in which the signatory of the act has acted and, where appropriate, the identity of the seal or stamp of which the act is bearing.
The signature, seal or stamp on the apostille are exempt from certification.
Each Contracting State shall designate the authorities taken by the authorities, to which shall be given jurisdiction to issue the apostille provided for in Art. 3, para. 1.
It shall notify the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands at the time of the deposit of its instrument of ratification or accession or of its declaration of extension. It will also notify it of any changes in the designation of these authorities.
Each of the authorities designated in accordance with Article 6 shall keep a register or file in which it takes note of the apostilles issued by indicating:
At the request of any person concerned, the authority which issued the apostille shall check whether the entries on the apostille correspond to those of the register or file.
Where there is a treaty, convention or agreement between two or more Contracting States, containing provisions which subject the attestation of signature, seal or stamp to certain formalities, this Convention shall not derogate from it only If the formalities are more stringent than that laid down in Art. 3 and 4.
Each Contracting State shall take the necessary measures to prevent its diplomatic or consular officials from making legalisations in cases where this Convention provides for the exemption.
This Convention shall be open for signature by the States represented at the Ninth Session of the Hague Conference on Private International Law, as well as that of Ireland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Turkey.
It will be ratified and the instruments of ratification will be deposited with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.
This Convention shall enter into force on the sixtieth day after the deposit of the third instrument of ratification provided for in Art. 10, para. 2.
The Convention shall enter into force, for each signatory State ratifying subsequently, on the sixtieth day after the deposit of its instrument of ratification.
Any State not covered by Art. 10 may accede to this Convention after its entry into force under Art. 11, para. 1. The instrument of accession will be deposited with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.
Accession shall have effect only in relations between the acceding State and the Contracting States which have no objection to it within six months of the receipt of the notification provided for in Art. 15, let. D. Such an objection will be notified to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.
The Convention shall enter into force, between the acceding State and the States which have no objection to accession, on the sixtieth day after the expiry of the six-month period referred to in the preceding paragraph.
Any State, at the time of signature, ratification or accession, may declare that this Convention shall extend to all the territories it represents on the international level, or to one or more of them. This declaration shall have effect upon the entry into force of the Convention for that State.
Thereafter, any such extension will be notified to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.
When the declaration of extension is made by a State which has signed and ratified the Convention, it shall enter into force for the territories concerned in accordance with the provisions of Art. 11. Where the declaration of extension is made by a State which has acceded to the Convention, it shall enter into force for the territories concerned in accordance with the provisions of Art. 12.
This Convention shall be for a period of five years from the date of its entry into force in accordance with Art. 11, para. 1, even for those States which have ratified or acceded to it subsequently.
The Convention will be renewed tacitly in five years, except denunciation.
The denunciation shall be notified to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands at least six months before the expiry of the five-year period.
It may be limited to some of the territories to which the Convention applies.
The denunciation shall have effect only in respect of the State which has notified it. The Convention shall remain in force for the other Contracting States.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands shall notify the States referred to in Art. 10, as well as to States which have acceded in accordance with the provisions of Art. 12:
In witness whereof, The undersigned, duly authorized, have signed this Convention.
Done at The Hague, on 5 October 1961, in English and in French, the French text being authentic in the event of a discrepancy between the texts, in a single copy, which shall be deposited in the archives of the Government of the Netherlands and a certified copy thereof Will be delivered through diplomatic channels to each of the States represented at the Ninth Session of the Hague Conference on Private International Law, as well as to Ireland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Turkey.
(Suivent signatures)
The apostille will have the shape of a square of 9 centimeters to the minimum
Apostille (The Hague Convention of 5 October 1961) |
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This Public Act |
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Was signed by |
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Acting as a |
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Is stamped/stamped |
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Attested |
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6. The |
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By |
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N O |
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Seal/Stamp: |
10. Signature: |
Approved by the Federal Council on 21 December 1972
The Federal Chancellery
Canton of Zurich: |
Die Staatskanzlei |
Canton of Berne: |
Die Staatskanzlei (State Chancellery) |
Canton of Lucerne: |
Die Staatskanzlei |
Canton of Uri: |
Die Standeskanzlei |
Canton of Schwyz: |
Die Staatskanzlei |
Canton of Obwalden 1 : |
Die Staatskanzlei |
Canton of Nidwalden 2 : |
Die Staatskanzlei 3 |
Canton of Glaris: |
Die Staatskanzlei 4 |
Canton of Zug: |
Die Staatskanzlei |
Canton of Fribourg: |
The State Chancellery (Die Staatskanzlei) |
Solothurn Township: |
Die Staatskanzlei |
Canton of Basel-City: |
Die Staatskanzlei |
Canton of Basel-Country: |
Die Landeskanzlei |
Canton of Schaffhausen: |
Die Staatskanzlei |
Township of Appenzell Rh. -Ext.: |
Die Kantonskanzlei |
Township of Appenzell Rh. -Int.: |
Die Ratskanzee |
Canton of St. Gallen: |
Die Staatskanzlei |
Canton of Grisons: |
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Canton of Argovie: |
Pass-und Patentamt |
Canton of Thurgau: |
Die Staatskanzlei |
Canton of Ticino: |
The Cancelleria dello Stato |
Canton of Vaud: |
District of Lausanne |
Canton of Valais: |
The State Chancellery (Die Staatskanzlei) |
Canton of Neuchâtel: |
The State Chancellery |
Canton of Geneva: |
The Department of Institutions |
Canton of Jura: |
The State Chancellery |
1 The designation has been adapted in accordance with Art. 12 al. 2 of the Official Publications Act of 18 June 2004 (RS 170.512 ).
2 The designation has been adapted in accordance with Art. 12 al. 2 of the Official Publications Act of 18 June 2004 (RS 170.512 ).
3 The designation has been adapted in accordance with Art. 12 al. 2 of the Official Publications Act of 18 June 2004 (RS 170.512 ).
4 The designation has been adapted in accordance with Art. 12 al. 2 of the Official Publications Act of 18 June 2004 (RS 170.512 ).
5 The list of foreign authorities is not published in the RO. The lists in English and French may be consulted on the Internet site of the Hague Conference: http://hcch.e-vision.nl/index_fr.php?act=conventions.authorities&cid=41 or obtained from the Directorate of Public International Law (DDIP), International Treaty Section, 3003 Berne.
States Parties |
Ratification Accession (A) Statement of Succession (S) |
Entry into force |
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South Africa |
August 3 |
1994 A |
April 30 |
1995 |
Albania A |
3 September |
2003 A |
9 May |
2004 |
Germany |
15 December |
1965 |
13 February |
1966 |
Andorra |
15 April |
1996 A |
31 December |
1996 |
Antigua and Barbuda |
17 May |
1985 S |
1 Er November |
1981 |
Argentina * |
8 May |
1987 A |
18 February |
1988 |
Armenia |
19 November |
1993 A |
August 14 |
1994 |
Australia * |
July 11 |
1994 A |
March 16 |
1995 |
Austria |
14 November |
1967 |
13 January |
1968 |
Azerbaijan B |
13 May |
2004 A |
2 March |
2005 |
Bahamas |
10 May |
1976 S |
10 July |
1973 |
Bahrain * |
10 April |
2013 A |
31 December |
2013 |
Barbados |
August 30 |
1995 S |
30 November |
1966 |
Belarus |
June 16 |
1992 S |
May 31 |
1992 |
Belgium |
11 December |
1975 |
February 9 |
1976 |
Belize |
17 July |
1992 A |
April 11 |
1993 |
Bosnia and Herzegovina * |
1 Er October |
1993 S |
6 March |
1992 |
Botswana |
16 September |
1968 S |
September 30 |
1966 |
Brunei |
23 February |
1987 A |
3 December |
1987 |
Bulgaria |
1 Er August |
2000 A |
29 April |
2001 |
Burundi C |
10 June |
2014 A |
13 February |
2015 |
Cape Verde |
7 May |
2009 A |
13 February |
2010 |
China |
||||
Hong Kong * D |
12 June |
1985 |
July 1 |
1997 |
Macao E |
10 December |
1999 |
20 December |
1999 |
Cyprus |
26 July |
1972 A |
April 30 |
1973 |
Colombia * |
April 27 |
2000 A |
30 January |
2001 |
Korea (South) |
25 October |
2006 A |
July 14 |
2007 |
Costa Rica |
April 6 |
2011 A |
14 December |
2011 |
Croatia |
April 23 |
1993 S |
7 October |
1991 |
Denmark F |
30 October |
2006 |
29 December |
2006 |
Dominica |
22 October |
2002 S |
3 November |
1978 |
El Salvador |
September 14 |
1995 A |
May 31 |
1996 |
Ecuador * |
July 2 |
2004 A |
2 April |
2005 |
Spain * |
27 July |
1978 |
September 25 |
1978 |
Estonia |
11 December |
2000 A |
September 30 |
2001 |
United States * |
24 December |
1980 A |
15 October |
1981 |
Fiji |
March 29 |
1971 S |
10 October |
1970 |
Finland |
27 June |
1985 |
26 August |
1985 |
France |
25 November |
1964 |
24 January |
1965 |
Comoros G |
25 November |
1964 |
24 January |
1965 |
Guadeloupe |
25 November |
1964 |
24 January |
1965 |
Guyana (French) |
25 November |
1964 |
24 January |
1965 |
Wallis and Futuna Islands |
25 November |
1964 |
24 January |
1965 |
Martinique |
25 November |
1964 |
24 January |
1965 |
New Caledonia |
25 November |
1964 |
24 January |
1965 |
News Hebrides G (Franco-British condominium) |
17 December |
1965 A |
February 15 |
1966 |
French Polynesia |
25 November |
1964 |
24 January |
1965 |
Meeting |
25 November |
1964 |
24 January |
1965 |
Saint Pierre and Miquelon |
25 November |
1964 |
24 January |
1965 |
Territory of the French Coast of Somalis (also French territory of Afars and Issas or Djibouti) |
25 November |
1964 |
24 January |
1965 |
Georgia * H |
August 21 |
2006 A |
14 May |
2007 |
Greece |
19 March |
1985 |
18 May |
1985 |
Grenada |
17 July |
2001 A |
7 April |
2002 |
Honduras |
20 January |
2004 A |
September 30 |
2004 |
Hungary * |
18 April |
1972 A |
January 18 |
1973 |
Cook Islands |
July 13 |
2004 A |
April 30 |
2005 |
Marshall Islands |
18 November |
1991 A |
August 14 |
1992 |
India I |
26 October |
2004 A |
July 14 |
2005 |
Ireland |
8 January |
1999 |
March 9 |
1999 |
Iceland |
28 September |
2004 |
27 November |
2004 |
Israel |
11 November |
1977 A |
August 14 |
1978 |
Italy |
13 December |
1977 |
February 11 |
1978 |
Japan |
28 May |
1970 |
27 July |
1970 |
Kazakhstan * |
5 April |
2000 A |
30 January |
2001 |
Kyrgyzstan J |
15 November |
2010 A |
July 31 |
2011 |
Lesotho |
24 April |
1972 S |
4 October |
1966 |
Latvia |
11 May |
1995 A |
30 January |
1996 |
Liberia K |
24 May |
1995 A |
February 8 |
1996 |
Liechtenstein |
19 July |
1972 |
September 17 |
1972 |
Lithuania |
5 November |
1996 A |
19 July |
1997 |
Luxembourg |
April 4 |
1979 |
3 June |
1979 |
Macedonia |
23 September |
1993 S |
September 17 |
1991 |
Malawi |
24 February |
1967 A |
2 December |
1967 |
Malta |
12 June |
1967 A |
3 March |
1968 |
Mauritius |
20 December |
1968 S |
12 March |
1968 |
Mexico |
1 Er December |
1994 A |
August 14 |
1995 |
Moldova L |
19 June |
2006 A |
March 16 |
2007 |
Monaco |
24 April |
2002 A |
1 Er November |
2002 |
Mongolia M |
2 April |
2009 A |
31 December |
2009 |
Montenegro |
30 January |
2007 S |
3 June |
2006 |
Namibia |
April 25 |
2000 A |
30 January |
2001 |
Nicaragua |
7 September |
2012 A |
14 May |
2013 |
Niue |
10 June |
1998 A |
2 March |
1999 |
Norway |
30 May |
1983 |
July 29 |
1983 |
New Zealand * |
7 February |
2001 A |
22 November |
2001 |
Oman |
12 May |
2011 A |
30 January |
2012 |
Uzbekistan N |
July 25 |
2011 A |
15 April |
2012 |
Panama |
30 October |
1990 A |
August 4 |
1991 |
Paraguay O |
10 December |
2013 A |
August 30 |
2014 |
Netherlands |
August 9 |
1965 |
8 October |
1965 |
Aruba |
1 Er March |
1967 A |
April 30 |
1967 |
Curaçao |
1 Er March |
1967 A |
April 30 |
1967 |
Caribbean (Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba) |
1 Er March |
1967 A |
April 30 |
1967 |
Sint Maarten |
1 Er March |
1967 A |
April 30 |
1967 |
Peru P |
13 January |
2010 A |
September 30 |
2010 |
Poland |
17 November |
2004 A |
August 14 |
2005 |
Portugal |
6 December |
1968 |
4 February |
1969 |
Portuguese Territories |
22 October |
1969 A |
21 December |
1969 |
Dominican Republic Q |
12 December |
2008 A |
August 30 |
2009 |
Czech Republic |
23 June |
1998 A |
March 16 |
1999 |
Romania |
7 June |
2000 A |
March 16 |
2001 |
United Kingdom |
August 21 |
1964 |
24 January |
1965 |
Anguilla |
24 February |
1965 A |
April 25 |
1965 |
Bermuda |
24 February |
1965 A |
April 25 |
1965 |
Gibraltar R |
24 February |
1965 A |
April 25 |
1965 |
Guernsey |
August 21 |
1964 A |
24 January |
1965 |
British Guiana G |
24 February |
1965 A |
April 25 |
1965 |
Isle of Man |
August 21 |
1964 A |
24 January |
1965 |
Cayman Islands |
24 February |
1965 A |
April 25 |
1965 |
Falkland Islands |
24 February |
1965 A |
April 25 |
1965 |
Gilbert and Ellice Islands G |
24 February |
1965 A |
April 25 |
1965 |
British Solomon Islands G |
24 February |
1965 A |
April 25 |
1965 |
Turks and Caicos Islands |
24 February |
1965 A |
April 25 |
1965 |
British Virgin Islands |
24 February |
1965 A |
April 25 |
1965 |
Jersey |
August 21 |
1964 A |
24 January |
1965 |
Montserrat |
24 February |
1965 A |
April 25 |
1965 |
Newly-Hebrides G (Franco-British condominium) |
24 February |
1965 A |
April 25 |
1965 |
Southern Rhodesia G |
24 February |
1965 A |
April 25 |
1965 |
St. Helena and Dependencies (Ascension and Tristan da Cunha) |
24 February |
1965 A |
April 25 |
1965 |
British Antarctic Territory |
24 February |
1965 A |
April 25 |
1965 |
Russia |
4 September |
1991 A |
May 31 |
1992 |
Saint Kitts and Nevis |
26 February |
1994 A |
14 December |
1994 |
San Marino |
26 May |
1994 A |
13 February |
1995 |
|
2 May |
2002 S |
April 25 |
1965 |
Saint Lucia |
5 December |
2001 A |
7 April |
2002 |
Samoa |
January 18 |
1999 A |
13 September |
1999 |
Sao Tome and Principe |
19 December |
2007 A |
13 September |
2008 |
Serbia |
April 26 |
2001 S |
24 January |
1965 |
Seychelles |
9 June |
1978 A |
March 31 |
1979 |
Slovakia |
6 June |
2001 A |
18 February |
2002 |
Slovenia |
8 June |
1992 S |
25 June |
1991 |
Sweden |
2 March |
1999 |
1 Er May |
1999 |
Switzerland |
10 January |
1973 |
March 11 |
1973 |
Suriname |
11 November |
1976 S |
25 November |
1975 |
Swaziland |
17 July |
1978 S |
September 6 |
1968 |
Tonga * |
28 October |
1971 S |
4 June |
1970 |
Trinidad and Tobago |
28 October |
1999 A |
July 14 |
2000 |
Turkey |
July 31 |
1985 |
29 September |
1985 |
Ukraine |
2 April |
2003 A |
22 December |
2003 |
Uruguay |
February 9 |
2012 A |
14 October |
2012 |
Vanuatu |
1 Er August |
2008 S |
July 30 |
1980 |
Venezuela |
1 Er July |
1998 A |
March 16 |
1999 |
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R The accession of Gibraltar was not accepted by Spain. |
1 Art. 1 al. 1 of the AF of 27 April 1972 (RO 1973 346)
2 RO 1973 352, 1976 477, 1977 765, 1978 210 1718, 1980 669, 1982 154, 1983 1175, 1986 175, 1987 317, 1988 1177, 1993 973, 1998 2318, 2003 2401, 2006 619, 2007 3345, 2010 4609, 2010 783, 2011 4609 , 2013 1235, 2015 2121. A version of the updated scope of application is published on the DFAE website (www.dfae.admin.ch/traites).