Apostile. The Hague Convention of 1961
05/03/2014
The Hague Convention of 1961. Countries and territories on which the actions of Hague Convention of 1961 are applied to.
The Principal of the Convention
The States signatories to the present Convention mutually refuse the requirements of consular legalization of official documents, which were committed at the territory of one of the contracting states and should be represented at the territory of the other contracting state.
For the purposes of the present Convention the followings are deemed to be official documents:
- Documents emanating from an authority or an official connected with the state jurisdiction, including documents emanating from a public prosecutor, a clerk of a court or law-enforcement officer;
- Administrative documents (particularly registration certificate of acts of civil status);
- Notarial acts;
- Official notes such as note of registration; visas with confirmation of data; signature guarantee on the document without confirmation by the notary.
The use of an apostille is the only formality which can be needed for the guarantee of the authenticity of the signature the merit of which a person has advanced by signing a document, and authenticity of a seal or a stamp at a proper event, affirmed to that document.
However, the present Convention shall not apply:
(a) to documents executed by diplomatic or consular agents;
(b) to administrative documents dealing directly with commercial or customs operations.
The present Convention does not apply to the documents which are not official (that is, which are not from the state bodies and do not have notarial certificate). For example, apostille is not put on commercial letters from foreign firms.
But as it is mentioned in the special literature, «it’s difficult to take delimitation between commercial and non-commercial documents in the practice. Besides, an apostille frequently is put on commercial documents, such as banking documents. That’s why much depends on the juridical and notarial practice while resolving practical issues».
Countries and territories on which the actions of Hague Convention of 1961 are applied to:
State Date of ratification and coming into force
Albania |
On September 3, 2003 (affiliation), on May 9, 2004 (came into force) |
American Samoa |
The actions of the present Convention are applied to American Samoa as to the overseas possessions of the USA |
Andorra |
On April 15, 1996 (affiliation), on December 31, 1996 (came into force) |
Antigua and Barbuda |
On February 24, 1965 (Great Britain extended actions of the Convention to Antigua and Barbuda), on November 1, 1981 (came into force) |
Argentina |
On May 8, 1987 (affiliation), on February 18, 1988 (came into force) |
Armenia |
On November 19, 1993 (affiliation), on August 14, 1994 (came into force) |
Aruba |
On May 1, 1967 (The Netherlands extended actions of the Convention to Aruba), on April 30, 1967 (came into force) |
Australia |
On July 11, 1994 (affiliation), on March 16, 1995 (came into force) |
Austria |
On November 1967 (ratification), on January 13, 1968 (came into force) |
Azerbaijan |
On May 13, 2004 (affiliation), on March 2, 2005 (came into force) |
Bahamas |
On February 24, 1965 (Great Britain extended actions of the Convention to BahamasIsland), on July 10, 1973 (came into force as for an independent state) |
Barbados |
On February 24, 1965 (Great Britain extended actions of the Convention to Barbados), on November 30, 1966 (came into force as for an independent state) |
Belarus |
On May 31, 1992 (came into force as for legal successor of USSR) |
Belgium |
On December 11, 1975 (ratification), on February 9, 1976 (came into force) |
Belize |
On July 17, 1992 (affiliation), on April 11, 1993 (came into force) |
Bermuda Islands |
On February 24, 1965 (Great Britain extended actions of the Convention to BermudaIslands), on April 25, 1965 (came into force) |
Bosnia and Herzegovina |
On January 24, 1965 (came into force for Yugoslavia) |
Botswana |
On September 30, 1966 (came into force as for legal successor of Bechuanaland in connection with declaration of independence of Botswana) |
British Antarctic Territory |
On February 24, 1965 (Great Britain extended actions of the Convention to British Antarctic Territory), on April 25, 1965 (came into force) |
British Virgin Islands |
On February 24, 1965 (Great Britain extended actions of the Convention to British Virgin Islands), on April 25, 1965 (came into force) |
Brunei |
On February 23, 1987 (affiliation), on December 3, 1987 (came into force) |
Bulgaria |
On August 1, 2000 (affiliation), on April 29, 2001 (came into force) |
On February 24, 1965 (Great Britain extended actions of the Convention toCayman Islands), on April 25, 1965 (came into force) |
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China |
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Aomin (Makao) |
On February 4, 1969 (came into force for Makao as possession of Portugal), PRC confirmed the actions of the present Convention for Aomin (Makao) with the joining date of that territory – December 20, 1999 |
Hong Kong (Xianggang) |
On April 25, 1965 (came into force for Hong Kong as property of GB), the PRC confirmed the actions of the present Convention for Xianggang (Hong Kong) with the joining date of that territory- July 1, 1997 |
Colombia |
On April 27, 2000 (affiliation), on January 30, 2001 (came into force) |
Cook Islands |
On July 13, 2004 (affiliation), on April 30, 2005 (came into force) |
Croatia |
On January 24, 1965 (came into force for Yugoslavia) on April 5, 1993 (Croatia announced about the legal succession in relation to the Convention) |
Cyprus |
On July 26, 1972 (affiliation), on April 30, 1973 (came into force) |
Czech Republic |
On June 23, 1998 (affiliation), on March 16, 1999 (came into force) |
Denmark |
On October 30, 2006 (ratification), on December 29, 2006 (came into force) |
Dominica |
On November 3, 1978 (Great Britain extended actions of the Convention to Dominica), on October 22, 2002 (legal succession in connection with declaration of independence of Dominica) |
Ecuador |
On July 2, 20074 (affiliation), on April 2, 2005 (came into force) |
El Salvador |
On September 14, 1995 (affiliation), on May 31, 1996 (came into force) |
Estonia |
On December 11, 2000 (affiliation), on September 30, 2001 (came into force) |
FalklandIsland (Islas Malvinas) |
On February 24, 1965 (Great Britain extended actions of the Convention to FalklandIsland), on April 25, 1965 (came into force) |
Fiji |
On February 24, 1965 (Great Britain extended actions of the Convention to Fiji), on October 10, 1970 (legal succession in connection with declaration of independence of Fiji) |
Finland |
On June 27, 1985 (ratification), on August 26, 1985 (came into force) |
France |
On November 25, 1964 (ratification), on January 24, 1965 (came into force) |
French Polynesia |
The action of the present Convention is extended to French Polynesia as in overseas community of France. |
Georgia |
On August 21, 2006 (affiliation), on May 14, 2007 (came into force) |
Germany |
On December 15, 1965 (ratification), on February 13, 1966 (came into force) |
Gibraltar |
On February 24, 1965 (Great Britain extended actions of the Convention to Gibraltar), on February 13, 1966 (came into force) |
Great Britain |
On August 21, 1964 (affiliation), on January 24, 1965 (came into force) |
Greece |
On March 19, 1985 (ratification), on May 18, 1985 (came into force) |
Grenada |
On February 7, 1974 (legal succession in connection with declaration of independence of Grenada) |
Guadeloupe |
The action of the present Convention is extended to Guadeloupe as at overseas department of France |
Guam |
The action of the present Convention is extended to Guam as in overseas possessions of USA |
Guernsey |
On August 21, 1964 (Great Britain extended actions of the Convention to bailiff county of Guernsey), on April 25, 1965 (came into force) |
Guiana |
The action of the present Convention is extended to French Guiana as at overseas department of France |
Honduras |
On January 20, 2004 (affiliation), on September 30, 2004 (came into force) |
Hungary |
On April 18, 1972 (affiliation), on January 18, 1973 (came into force) |
Iceland |
On September 28, 2004 (ratification), on November 27, 2004 (came into force) |
India |
On October 26, 200 (affiliation), on July 14, 2005 (came into force) |
Ireland |
On January 8, 1999 (ratification), on March 9, 1999 (came into force) |
Israel |
On November 11, 1977 (affiliation), on August 14, 1978 (coming into force) |
Italy |
On December 13, 1977 (ratification), on February 11, 1978 (came into force) |
Japan |
On May 28, 1970 (ratification), on July 27, 1970 (came into force) |
Jersey |
On August 21, 1964 (Great Britain extended actions of the Convention to bailiff county of Jersey), on January 24, 1965 (came into force) |
Kazakhstan |
On April 5, 2000 (affiliation), on January 30, 2001 (came into force) |
Korea (South) |
On October 25, 2006 (affiliation), on July 14, 2007 (came into force) |
Latvia |
On May 11, 1995 (affiliation), on January 30, 1996 (came into force) |
Lesotho |
On February 24, 1965 (Great Britain extended actions of the Convention to Basutoland), on April 24, 1972 (legal succession in connection with declaration of independence of Lesotho) |
Liberia |
On May 24, 1995 (affiliation), on February 8, 1996 (came into force) |
Liechtenstein |
On July 19, 1972 (ratification), on September 17, 1972 (came into force) |
Lithuania |
On November 5, 1996 (affiliation), on July 19, 1997 (came into force) |
Luxembourg |
On April 4, 1979 (ratification), on July 3, 1979 (came into force) |
Macedonia |
On January 24, 1965 came into force for Yugoslavia), on September 20, 1993 (Macedonia announced about the legal succession in relation with the Convention) |
Maine |
On August 21, 1964 (Great Britain extended actions of the Convention to Maine island), on January 24, 1965 (came into force) |
Maiotta |
The action of the present Convention is extended to Maiotta as in overseas community of France. |
Malawi |
On February 24, 1967 (affiliation), on December 2, 1967 (came into force) |
Malta |
On July 12, 1967 (affiliation), on March 3, 1968 (came into force) |
Marshall Islands |
On November 18, 1991 (affiliation), on August 14, 1992 (came into force) |
Mauritius |
On February 24, 1965 (Great Britain extended actions of the Convention to Mauritius), on December 20, 1968 (legal succession in connection with declaration of independence of Mauritius) |
Mexico |
On December 11, 1994 (affiliation), on August 14, 1995 (came into force) |
Moldavia |
On June 19, 2006 (affiliation), on March 16, 2007 (came into force) |
Monaco |
On April 24, 2002 (affiliation), on December 31, 2002 (came into force) |
Montenegro |
On January 24, 1965 (came into force for Yugoslavia), on April 26, 2001 (Union of Republic of Yugoslavia announced about the legal succession in relation to the Convention), on June 3, 2006 (legal succession in connection with declaration of independence of Montenegro) |
Montserrat |
On February 24, 1965 (Great Britain extended actions of the Convention to Montserrat), on April 25, 1965 (came into force) |
Namibia |
On April 24, 2000 (affiliation), on January 30, 2001 (came into force) |
New Caledonia |
The action of the present Convention is extended to New Caledonia as in overseas territory of France. |
New Zealand |
On February 7, 2001 (affiliation), on November 22, 2001 (came into force) |
Netherlands |
On August 9, 1965 (ratification), on October 8, 1965 (came into force) |
Netherlands Antillian guilder |
On March 1, 1967 (The Netherlands extended actions of the Convention to Netherlands Antillian guilder), on April 30, 1967 (came into force) |
Niue |
On June 10, 1998 (affiliation), on March 2, 1999 (came into force) |
Northern Mariana Islands |
The action of the present Convention is extended to Northern Mariana Islands as to the overseas possessions of the USA |
Norway |
On May 30, 1983 (ratification), on July 29, 1983 (came into force) |
Panama |
On October 30, 1990 (affiliation), on August 4, 1991 (came into force) |
Poland |
On November 19, 2004 (affiliation), on August 14, 2005 (came into force) |
Portugal |
On December 6, 1968 (ratification), on February 4, 1969 (came into force) |
Puerto Rico |
The action of the present Convention is extended to Puerto Rico as to the overseas possessions of the USA |
Republic of South Africa |
On August 3, 1994 (affiliation), on April 30, 1995 (came into force) |
Réunion |
The action of the present Convention is extended to Réunion as to the overseas region of France |
Romania |
On June 7, 2000 (affiliation), on March 16, 2001 (came into force) |
Russian Federation |
On May 31, 1992 (came into force as for legal successor of USSR) |
Samoa |
On January 18, 1999 (affiliation), on September 13, 1999 (coming into force) |
San Marino |
On May 26, 1994 (affiliation), on February 13, 1995 (came into force) |
San Tome and Principe |
On December 19, 2007 (affiliation), on September 13, 2008 (came into force) |
Serbia |
On January 24, 1965 (came into force for Yugoslavia), on April 26, 2001 (Union of Republic of Yugoslavia announced about the legal succession in relation to the Convention), on July 9, 2006 (announced about the legal succession in relation to the Convention in connection with retirement of Montenegro from the Confederation Union with Serbia) |
Seychelles |
On June 9, 1978 (affiliation), on March 31, 1979 (came into force) |
Slovakia |
On January 24, 1965 (came into force for Yugoslavia), on June 8, 1992 (Slovenia announced about the legal succession in relation to the Convention) |
Slovenia |
On January 24, 1965 (came into force for Yugoslavia), on June 8, 1992 (Slovenia announced about the legal succession in relation to the Convention) |
Spain |
On July 27, 1978 (ratification), on September 25, 1978 (coming into force) |
St. HelenaIsland |
On February 24, 1965 (Great Britain extended actions of the Convention to St. HelenaIsland), on April 25, 1965 (came into force) |
St Kitts and Nevis |
On February 26, 1994 (affiliation), on December 14, 1994 (came into force) |
St Lucia |
On December 5, 2001 (affiliation), on July 31, 2002 (came into force) |
St. Pierre and Miquelon |
The action of the present Convention is extended to St. Pierre and Miquelon as to the overseas community of France |
St. Vincent and the Grenadines |
On February 24, 1965 (Great Britain extended actions of the Convention to St. Vincent and the Grenadines), on October 27, 1979 (legal succession in connection with declaration of independence of St. Vincent and the Grenadines) |
Suriname |
On May 16, 1967 (The Netherlands applied actions of the Convention to Suriname), on November 25, 1975 (legal succession in connection with declaration of independence of Suriname) |
Swaziland |
On February 24, 1965 (Great Britain extended actions of the Convention to Swaziland), on July 3, 1978 (legal succession in connection with declaration of independence of Swaziland) |
Sweden |
On March 2, 1999 (ratification), on May 1, 1999 (came into force) |
Switzerland |
On January 10, 1973 (ratification), on March 11, 1973 (came into force) |
Terks and Kaikos |
On February 24, 1965 (Great Britain extended actions of the Convention to the Island of Terks and Kaikos), on April 25, 1965 (came into force) |
Tonga |
On February 24, 1965 (Great Britain extended actions of the Convention to Tonga), on June 4, 1970 (legal succession in connection with declaration of independence of Tonga) |
Trinidad and Tobago |
On October 28, 1999 (affiliation), on July 14, 2000 (came into force) |
Turkey |
On July 31, 1985 (ratification), on September 29, 1985 (came into force) |
Ukraine |
On April 2, 2003 (affiliation), on December 22, 2003 (came into force) |
USA |
On December 24, 1980 (affiliation), on October 15, 1981 (came into force) |
Vanuatu |
On July 30, 1980 (came into force as for legal successor of New Hebrides in connection with the declaration of independence of Vanuatu) |
Venezuela |
On July 1, 1998 (affiliation), on March 16, 1999 (came into force) |
Virgin Islands (USA) |
The action of the present Convention is extended to American Virgin Islands as for overseas possessions |
Wallis-et-Futuna |
The action of the present Convention is extended to Wallis-et-Futuna as in overseas territory of France. |
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