APOSTILLE OF THE HAGUE

Have you ever heard about the Apostille of The Hague? If you are planning to study or work in a foreign country, you might need to get an Apostille. In this article, we will explain what an Apostille is, the process to obtain it, and everything you need to know about it. PT. Jangkar Global Groups

What is an Apostille?

An Apostille is a type of certification issued by The Hague Convention of 1961, which is an international treaty. The Apostille is used to verify the authenticity of a document that has been issued by a government agency of a country that is a member of the Hague Convention. The Apostille ensures that the document is recognized and accepted by other countries that are also members of the Hague Convention, without the need for further legalization.

For example, if you are planning to study abroad, you might need to present an Apostille on your high school diploma. This will prove that your diploma is genuine, and it will be accepted by the university or college you are applying to.

When do you need an Apostille?

You might need an Apostille if you are planning to:

• Study abroad
• Work abroad
• Get married in a foreign country
• Adopt a child from a foreign country
• Open a bank account in a foreign country

What documents need an Apostille?

The documents that usually require an Apostille are:

• Birth certificates
• Marriage certificates
• Death certificates
• Divorce certificates
• Adoption certificates
• Diplomas and transcripts
• Power of attorney
• Notarized documents

How to obtain an Apostille?

The process to obtain an Apostille varies depending on the country where the document was issued. In general, the process involves the following steps:

1. Identify the issuing authority: You need to know which government agency issued the document you want to apostille.
2. Contact the competent authority: The competent authority is the government agency that is authorized to issue an Apostille. You need to contact this agency to get information about the process and the requirements.
3. Prepare the document: You need to make sure that the document is complete, accurate, and up-to-date. If the document is not in the language of the country where you want to use it, you might need to have it translated and certified.
4. Pay the fees: There is usually a fee to obtain an Apostille. The fee varies depending on the country and the type of document.
5. Submit the document: You need to submit the document to the competent authority along with the application form and the payment receipt.
6. Wait for the Apostille: The processing time for an Apostille varies depending on the country. In general, it takes a few days to a few weeks to obtain an Apostille.

What are the requirements for an Apostille?

The requirements for an Apostille vary depending on the country and the type of document. In general, the document must meet the following requirements:

• The document must be an original or a certified copy. A photocopy or a scanned copy is not acceptable.
• The document must be issued by a government agency of a country that is a member of the Hague Convention.
• The document must be signed and stamped by an authorized person, such as a notary public or a government official.
• The document must be written in the official language of the country where it was issued.

What is the difference between an Apostille and legalization?

Legalization is the process of verifying the authenticity of a document that has been issued by a government agency of a country that is not a member of the Hague Convention. The legalization process is more complex and time-consuming than obtaining an Apostille. The document needs to be authenticated by several authorities, such as the Foreign Ministry, the Embassy, and the Consulate of the country where the document will be used.

On the other hand, an Apostille is a simplified form of legalization that is only available for countries that are members of the Hague Convention. The Apostille eliminates the need for further legalization, which makes the process faster and less expensive.

Conclusion

An Apostille is a valuable document that can help you to prove the authenticity of your official documents in a foreign country. If you are planning to study or work abroad, you might need to obtain an Apostille on your diplomas or transcripts. The process to obtain an Apostille varies depending on the country, but in general, you need to contact the competent authority, prepare the document, pay the fees, and submit the document. Remember that the Apostille is only available for countries that are members of the Hague Convention, and it eliminates the need for further legalization.