Update on the e-APP

Designed to facilitate the authentication of public documents for use abroad, the electronic Apostille Programme (e-APP) has become an integral part of the operation of the Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (1961 Apostille Convention). The e-APP has two components, which can be implemented separately or together: The...

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13th International Forum on the e-APP: Registration now open!

The Permanent Bureau is pleased to announce that registration is now open for participation in the 13th International Forum on the electronic Apostille Programme (e-APP), which will take place on Monday 21 October and Tuesday 22 October 2024 in Astana, Kazakhstan. To be held for the first time in Central Asia, the Forum will be jointly organised by the HCCH, the Ministry...

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Bangladesh accedes to the 1961 Apostille Convention

Today, 29 July 2024, the People’s Republic of Bangladesh deposited its instrument of accession to the Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (1961 Apostille Convention). With the accession of Bangladesh, the 1961 Apostille Convention now has 127 Contracting Parties. It will enter into force for Bangladesh on 30 March 2025. More...

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1961 Apostille Convention enters into force for Rwanda

Today, 5 June 2024, the Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (1961 Apostille Convention) entered into force for the Republic of Rwanda following the deposit of its instrument of accession on 6 October 2023. The 1961 Apostille Convention has 126 Contracting Parties. More information on this Convention is available on the Apostille...

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Apostille Convention enters into force for Canada

Today, 11 January 2024, the Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (1961 Apostille Convention) entered into force for Canada, following the deposit of its instrument of accession on 12 May 2023. The 1961 Apostille Convention currently has 126 Contracting Parties. More information on this Convention is available on the...

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Apostille Convention enters into force for the People’s Republic of China

Yesterday, 7 November 2023, the Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (1961 Apostille Convention) entered into force for the People’s Republic of China. China deposited its instrument of accession on 8 March 2023, during the annual meeting of the Council on General Affairs and Policy. Prior to this date, the 1961...

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The HCCH celebrates its 1000th treaty action – Canada accedes to the 1961 Apostille Convention

Today, 12 May 2023, Canada deposited its instrument of accession to the Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (1961 Apostille Convention). This accession marks a historical milestone: it is the 1000th treaty action relating to an HCCH Convention or Protocol (ratification, accession, approval or other instance in which one of the HCCH...

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Apostille Convention enters into force for Senegal

Today, 23 March 2023, the Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (Apostille Convention) entered into force for the Republic of Senegal following the deposit of its instrument of accession on 13 July 2022.  The 1961 Apostille Convention currently has 124 Contracting Parties. More information on this Convention is available on the...

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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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