An apostille is a special certificate that makes your documents valid in another country. It proves that the signature and seal on your document are real. Once a document has an apostille, it can be used in any country that is part of the Hague Convention. Think of it as international verification. If you need to send a document overseas and the receiving country needs to be sure it is authentic, an apostille provides that proof.

People usually need an apostille when they are doing something important in another country. If someone is getting married overseas, they might need an apostilled birth certificate to prove their identity. A family adopting a child internationally may be asked to provide apostilled financial documents or background checks. A person who plans to work or study abroad might need to show an apostilled diploma so the foreign institution can trust that it is legitimate. Businesses often need apostilled agreements, corporate documents, or powers of attorney when they are working with partners in another country. Even something as simple as moving abroad can lead to requests for apostilled marriage certificates, divorce decrees, or police records.