Hague Apostille Checker
Select the country where your document was issued and the country where it will be used to see whether both are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention, and what that usually means for the document
Document Pathway
Select where your document was issued and where you plan to use it
How to use this tool
- Select the country where the document was issued (origin).
- Select the country where it will be used (destination).
- Read the verdict: apostille normally accepted, or legalization usually required.
- Copy the result, then confirm the exact requirements with the receiving authority.
Worked example
A birth certificate issued in the United States for use in the United Kingdom: both are parties to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention, so a single apostille from the issuing authority normally replaces consular legalization. For the same certificate going to Syria, which is not a party, the tool shows that legalization is usually required: typically a chain of steps through the origin country's foreign ministry and the destination country's embassy. Objections between member states, bilateral agreements and the rules of the specific office can change the outcome, so this is a first check, not legal advice.
Why this tool exists and where its numbers come from
A public document must be authenticated before another country accepts it; between parties to the 1961 Convention one apostille replaces the longer consular chain. The tool checks membership against the HCCH status table; objections between states, bilateral agreements and the receiving office's rules can change the outcome.
Sources
For the full method, see the Methodology section just below.
Methodology
Membership is checked against the status table of the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) for the 1961 Apostille Convention, which listed 130 contracting parties when this page was last checked. An accession takes effect months after it is deposited (Thailand's, for example, takes effect on February 28, 2027), so a very recent member may not apply yet. Where both countries are parties, an apostille normally replaces legalization.
Nine country pairs, as the checker answers them
| Origin | Destination | Membership (origin / destination) | Tool result |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Germany | yes / yes | Apostille Normally Accepted |
| Brazil | Portugal | yes / yes | Apostille Normally Accepted |
| Canada | Mexico | yes / yes | Apostille Normally Accepted |
| China | Japan | yes / yes | Apostille Normally Accepted |
| India | United Arab Emirates | yes / no | Legalization Usually Required |
| Egypt | France | no / yes | Legalization Usually Required |
| Thailand | United Kingdom | no / yes | Legalization Usually Required |
| United Arab Emirates | Egypt | no / no | Legalization Usually Required |
| Germany | Germany | — | Domestic Document |
Read it left to right: the tool only compares membership of the two countries and shows apostille when both are members, legalization when at least one is not. Thailand is a good example of why dates matter: its accession is not yet in force in the tool’s list, so Thailand to the United Kingdom shows legalization even though the treaty is on the way. The table does not model objections between member states, bilateral agreements or what a specific office accepts, so treat it as a first check and confirm with the receiving authority.
Document Protection Essentials
Keep your original certificates and apostilled documents safe during international moves
DocSafe Fireproof File Organizer with Lock
A lockable document box with a 13-pocket file folder, listed as fire-resistant, for keeping passports and certificates together.
Amazon Basics Heavy Duty Clear Sheet Protectors (100-Pack)
Clear heavy-duty sheet protectors, 100 per pack, according to the listing, for keeping apostilled originals flat and clean.
ScanSnap iX2500 Wireless High-Speed Document Scanner
A wireless document scanner, according to the listing, for keeping digital copies of your papers before you send the originals.
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Frequently asked questions
What exactly is an Apostille? ▼
An Apostille is a specialized certificate that authenticates the origin of a public document (like a birth certificate, marriage license, or court order). It verifies the signature and seal of the official who signed the document, allowing it to be recognized in other member countries.
Can I get an Apostille in the destination country? ▼
No. An Apostille must always be issued by the competent authority of the country where the document was originally issued. For example, a US birth certificate can only be apostilled by US authorities, even if you are already living in Europe.
Do I need to translate my document before or after the Apostille? ▼
Typically, you apostille the original public document first. Then, depending on the destination country's rules, you have the apostilled document translated by a certified/sworn translator recognized in the destination country.
Which documents does the Convention not cover? ▼
Article 1 of the Convention excludes documents executed by diplomatic or consular agents, and administrative documents dealing directly with commercial or customs operations. For those, the receiving country may still require another form of authentication. A private document such as a power of attorney generally has to become a public document first, for example through a notary, before it can receive an Apostille.
What if both countries are members but the result still looks wrong? ▼
Under Article 12, a contracting state can object to another state's accession within six months, and then the Convention does not apply between those two states. This tool checks membership only and does not model such objections, nor the date a recent accession takes effect, so confirm the pair on the HCCH status table. Also note that an Apostille certifies the signature, capacity and seal on a document, not its content, and the receiving authority decides whether it accepts the document, requires a translation or sets a maximum age.