CGAP 2023 – New accessions and ratifications

On 8 March 2023, the Council on General Affairs and Policy (CGAP) of the HCCH witnessed China accede to the Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (1961 Apostille Convention) and Malta ratify the Convention of 13 January 2000 on the International Protection of Adults (2000 Protection of Adults Convention). H.E. Mr Jian Tan, Ambassador...

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Apostille Convention enters into force for Pakistan

On 9 March 2023, the Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (1961 Apostille Convention) entered into force for the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, following the deposit of its instrument of accession on 8 July 2022. The 1961 Apostille Convention currently has 124 Contracting Parties. More information on this Convention is available...

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Publication of the Second Edition of the Practical Handbook on the Operation of the Apostille Convention

The Permanent Bureau is pleased to announce the publication of the second edition of the Practical Handbook on the Operation of the Apostille Convention (Apostille Handbook). The Apostille Handbook, first published in 2013, provides guidance on the practical implementation and operation of the 1961 Apostille Convention, applied tens of millions of times every year to the benefit of individuals,...

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Apostille Convention enters into force for Saudi Arabia

Today, 7 December 2022, the Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (1961 Apostille Convention) entered into force for Saudi Arabia following the deposit of its instrument of accession on 8 April 2022. The 1961 Apostille Convention currently has 124 Contracting Parties. More information on this Convention is...

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Senegal accedes to the Apostille Convention

The Permanent Bureau has been informed that on 13 July 2022 the Republic of Senegal deposited its instrument of accession to the Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (Apostille Convention). The Apostille Convention will enter into force for Senegal on 23 March 2023. With this accession, the Convention now has 124 Contracting Parties....

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Pakistan accedes to the Apostille Convention

Today, 8 July 2022, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan deposited its instrument of accession to the Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (Apostille Convention). The Apostille Convention will enter into force for Pakistan on 9 March 2023. With this accession, the Convention now has 123 Contracting Parties. More information on this...

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Apostille Convention enters into force for Indonesia

On 4 June 2022, the Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (1961 Apostille Convention) will enter into force for Indonesia following the deposit of its instrument of accession on 5 October 2021. The 1961 Apostille Convention currently has 122 Contracting Parties. More information on this Convention is available on the...

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Saudi Arabia accedes to the Apostille Convention

Today, 8 April 2022, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia deposited its instrument of accession to the Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (Apostille Convention). The ceremony was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, the Depositary for the HCCH Conventions. Saudi Arabia was represented by H.E. Mr Ziad Al Atiyah,...

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Meeting of the Special Commission on the Practical Operation of the Apostille Convention

From 5 to 8 October 2021, the Special Commission on the practical operation of the Apostille Convention met via videoconference. The meeting was attended by over 350 delegates, representing HCCH Members, non‑Member Contracting Parties, and Observers from non‑Member States, intergovernmental and international non‑governmental organisations, as well as members of the Permanent Bureau. The first day...

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Indonesia accedes to the Apostille Convention on its 60th Anniversary

Today, 5 October 2021, the Republic of Indonesia deposited its instrument of accession to the Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (Apostille Convention). The ceremony was held on the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of the Convention as part of the Fifth Meeting of the Special Commission on the practical operation of the Apostille...

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