What is Hague Apostille in 2020? How to Apply? 518-956-5673

Entrust CHV to Handle Your Chinese Visa

Purchase our agency service online—simple, secure, and fast.

In international document exchanges, two common types of authentication are frequently used: Apostille and Embassy Legalization. While their procedures differ, their nature is the same—both authenticate a document issued in one country for legal use in another, granting it genuine extraterritorial legal validity. Apostille, known as Apostille in English, is a secondary notarization performed by a national government authority, such as the Supreme Court, on the original notarization from a local notary office or international notary public, with an official stamp or label affixed to the notarized document.

Important Note: The Apostille process results in a bound set of documents. Clients must not alter or separate them, as doing so will render the documents invalid.

Entrust CHV to Handle Your Chinese Visa

Purchase our agency service online—simple, secure, and fast.

I Want to Apply

Documents Eligible for Apostille (Including but Not Limited To):

1. Personal Documents: Marriage certificates, birth certificates, divorce decrees, adoption papers, foster care documents, kinship certificates, death certificates, work experience records, power of attorney, declarations, green cards, passport notarizations, invitation letters, single status certificates, court judgments, wills, criminal record checks, property deeds, academic diplomas, professional qualification certificates, medical certificates, etc.;
2. Corporate Documents: Certificates of incorporation, legal entity qualifications, agreements, contracts, authorizations, declarations, certificates, appointment letters, trademark certificates, asset proofs, credit reports, director information, shareholder information, articles of association, meeting minutes, company name change documents, invoices, certificates of origin, customs declarations, product certificates, product descriptions, and other corporate documents;
3. Third-Party Institutional Documents: Government website promotional content, police letters, customs reports, government reports, etc.

Apostille vs. Embassy Legalization

Procedure: Apostille is simpler, requiring authentication only from one Hague Convention member country. Embassy Legalization requires authentication from both the issuing country and the destination country.
Scope of Use: Apostille has a broader scope. Documents with an Apostille can be used in all Hague Convention member countries. Embassy Legalization is valid only in specific countries. Comparatively, we recommend Apostille for its convenience and wider acceptance.

Apostille Process:

Step 1: An international notary public notarizes the document;
Step 2: The notarized document is submitted to a designated government authority (varies by country) for Apostille stamping.

Apostille Fees:

Costs for International Notary Public, Government Agency Apostille, and Service Fees. Specific fees vary depending on the location where the Apostille is issued.