Apostille Convention enters into force for Singapore

Today, 16 September 2021, the Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (Apostille Convention) entered into force for the Republic of Singapore, following the deposit of its instrument of accession on 18 January 2021. The Apostille Convention has 120 Contracting Parties. More information on this Convention is available on the...

read more


Honduras becomes 90th Member of the HCCH

Today, 9 September 2021, the HCCH reached another milestone when the Republic of Honduras deposited its instrument of acceptance of the Statute, thus becoming its 90th Member. The membership ceremony, which took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, was attended by H.E. Mr Roberto Ochoa Madrid, Ambassador, and Mr Eduardo Cano, First Secretary, from the Embassy of Honduras,...

read more


Adoption Convention enters into force for Niger

Today, 1 September 2021, the Convention of 29 May 1993 on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Adoption Convention) entered into force for the Republic of the Niger, following the deposit of its instrument of accession on 24 May 2021. The Adoption Convention has 104 Contracting Parties. More information on this Convention is available on the Adoption...

read more


New Zealand ratifies Child Support Convention

The Permanent Bureau has been informed that on 23 July 2021, New Zealand deposited its instrument of ratification of the Convention of 23 November 2007 on the International Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of Family Maintenance (Child Support Convention). With the ratification of New Zealand, 42 states and the European Union are bound by the Child Support Convention. It will enter into...

read more


12th International Forum on the e-APP: Registration now open!

The Permanent Bureau is pleased to announce that in addition to Members and Contracting Parties to the Apostille Convention, registration is now open to the general public for the 12th International Forum on the electronic Apostille Programme (e-APP). The e-APP Forum convenes experts and stakeholders from around the world to discuss the latest developments and best practices in relation to the...

read more


Child Protection Convention enters into force for Costa Rica

On 1 August 2021, the HCCH Convention of 19 October 1996 on Jurisdiction, Applicable Law, Recognition, Enforcement and Co-operation in respect of Parental Responsibility and Measures for the Protection of Children (Child Protection Convention) entered into force for the Republic of Costa Rica following the deposit of its instrument of accession on 29 October 2020. The Child Protection...

read more


Evidence Convention enters into force for Georgia

Today, 30 July 2021, the HCCH Convention of 18 March 1970 on the Taking of Evidence Abroad in Civil or Commercial Matters (Evidence Convention) entered into force for Georgia, following the deposit of its instrument of accession on 31 May 2021. The Evidence Convention has 64 Contracting Parties. More information on this Convention is available on the Evidence Section of the HCCH website. Georgia...

read more


HCCH|Approach Initiative – Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the 1996 Child Protection Convention

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the HCCH 1996 Child Protection Convention, the HCCH is pleased to announce the launch of the Advancing and Promoting the Protection of All Children (Approach) Initiative. The HCCH|Approach Initiative will consist of a series of activities and events culminating in the HCCH|Approach Event, to be held online on Tuesday 19 October 2021. Information on registration...

read more


Save the Date: HCCH a|Bridged - Edition 2021: Enabling party autonomy with the 2005 Choice of Court Convention

The Permanent Bureau is pleased to announce that Edition 2021 of HCCH a|Bridged will be dedicated to the HCCH Convention of 30 June 2005 on Choice of Court Agreements (2005 Choice of Court Convention), and held online on 1 December 2021. Sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection of Germany and supported by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Academy for Law, the...

read more


Ninth meeting of the Experts’ Group on Parentage / Surrogacy

From 5 to 9 July 2021, the Experts’ Group on Parentage / Surrogacy met for the ninth time. The meeting was held via videoconference and was attended by 33 Experts representing 22 Member States, one Regional Economic Integration Organisation and three Observers, as well as members of the Permanent Bureau of the HCCH. The Experts’ Group discussed the scope of the possible draft...

read more