What do you need an apostille for?

What do you need an apostille for?

The apostille is used to confirm the authenticity of the signature, the circumstances of the signing and, depending on the circumstances, the authenticity of a stamp or seal that can be found on the document. As a result of the introduction of the apostille in 1961, international legal transactions were significantly simplified.

What exactly is an apostille?

It confirms the authenticity of the signature and the authorization to issue a public document, the original of which must be presented. The address of the responsible apostille authority can usually give you the location from which the document originates.

Where can I get an apostille in Switzerland?

In Switzerland, the cantonal authority responsible for legalizations and the Federal Chancellery in Bern are authorized to affix apostilles to Swiss public documents. The Swiss representations abroad are not authorized to affix apostilles.

Which countries are in the Hague Agreement?

Azerbaijan, Burundi, Dominican Republic, India, Kyrgyzstan, Kosovo, Liberia, Morocco, Moldova, Mongolia, Paraguay, the Philippines, Tajikistan, Tunisia and Uzbekistan have also acceded to the Apostille Convention.

What are the contracting states?

This generally corresponds to the concept of a state, which is why one speaks of contracting states for the contracting parties, but there are also other types of international law subjects. The term international treaty is also used.

What do you need for a certified copy?

The certifying authority records the authenticity of the document on the copy with a stamp or seal and signature. In addition to the original document, you also need your identity card or passport for official certification in order to be able to identify yourself.

How old can a certified copy be?

A certified copy of a certificate is valid for a maximum of 1 year.

What is an apostille certification?

With the apostille procedure or a legalization of a document, the authenticity of the signature of the exhibitor and his authorization to issue is confirmed and thus its evidential value is determined in this special procedure.

How does an apostille work?

For the apostille, documents only need to be certified by a competent authority in the issuing country. Legalization, on the other hand, requires the document to be authenticated by several authorities. In this case, a pre-certification must first be issued by the competent authority in the issuing country.