The Hague Apostille was introduced on 5 October 1961 by the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents. Instead of legalising each foreign document through a separate procedure, it is certified with a stamp known as an Apostille.                                       

An Apostille is issued in the country where the document was issued, at the request of its holder. It applies to documents issued by authorities or officials of the state judiciary, public prosecution services, court registries and enforcement officers; documents issued or certified by a notary; official entries in public registers; and official certifications of signatures on private documents.