What is the Apostille and what is it for

This is a specific annotation that has to be made on the original of the certificate issued by the competent authorities of the foreign country concerned, in this case British, American and Commonwealth, which legalizes and makes usable the act abroad.

The Apostille, therefore, replaces the legalization at the embassy. So if a person needs to assert in a Country a certificate does not need to go to the Country’s Embassy and ask for legalization, but can authenticate the document through the Apostille.

It is necessary to specify that the Convention specifically concerns the abolition of the legalization of foreign public acts, including, by express expectation thereof, the documents issuing an authority or an official dependent on an administration of the State (including those formulated by the Prosecutor, a chancellor or a bailiff), administrative documents, notarial deeds, official declarations indicating a registration, a visa of certain date, a signature authentication affixed to a private act, whereas it does not apply to documents drawn up by a diplomatic or consular agent and to administrative documents relating to a commercial or customs operation.

Documents that can be apostillated:

• Personal documents (copies, etc…);

• Certificates of Companies House;

• Certificates of HMRC;

• All documents legalized by solicitors;

• Authentic signatures;

• Certificates of birth, death, etc...