An Apostille is the legalization of a document for international use (only in the member countries of the Hague Convention) . On October 5, 1961, many nations joined to create a simplified method of “legalizing” documents for universal recognition. This group of nations is known as the Hague Convention. They adopted a document referred to as an Apostille that is internationally recognized by all member nations.
Certificate is to be Apostilled or Attested?
To determine that A certificate is to be Apostilled of Attestation is depends on the rule implemented in the respective country of the issueing University and the Country in which the certificate is intended to use.
If the certificate is to be used in the country which is the member of Hague Convention, the document should be apostilled from the issueing country.
If the certificate is issued from the Hague Member country, and need to use a non hague member country., the certificate should be attestated from the Embassy of the issuing country.
What exactly does ‘Apostille’ mean?
Apostille is a certificate attached with the original certificate. All the authentication process is done on this ceperate Apostille sheet. It shows that the certificate is geniuine. And the person who signed in the document is the Authorized person of the Organization.
In 1961, some countries agreed to be the member of the Hague convention.
The signed countries are following the method of Apostille. And the other countries are still using the normal method of legalizing the document. Those are the members of Hague convention
Member countries of the Hague Convention are:
Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, China (Macau), China (Hong Kong), Colombia, Cook Islands, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Republic of, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Republic of, Monaco, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niue, Norway, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, FYR of Macedonia, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom (U.K.), United States of America, Venezuela.