Free guide · primary sources

Apostilles, made simple.

Find out if your document needs an apostille, who issues it and what it costs, for every country.

What is an apostille, and which countries accept it?

An apostille is a certificate that confirms the signature, the role of the signer and the seal on a public document, so it can be used in another country without legalisation. It works between the 130 countries in the Apostille Convention, 129 of which already apply it. It is issued in the country the document comes from. Member list checked 18 October 2026 against the HCCH status table.

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Check two countriesDoes an apostille work between the country your document is from and the one you need it in?Go Find a countryWho issues apostilles there, how to apply, and links to the office itself.Go Understand apostillesWhat an apostille is, which documents need one, and the four steps to get one.Go See what it costsFees published by the issuing offices, side by side.Go

Find your country

All countries A to Z

United StatesUses apostilles

United KingdomUses apostilles

GermanyUses apostilles

FranceUses apostilles

SpainUses apostilles

ItalyUses apostilles

NetherlandsUses apostilles

SwedenUses apostilles

Countries in the Apostille Convention: 130
Already using apostilles: 129
Countries with a full step-by-step guide: 48
Checked against the HCCH list: 18 Oct 2026

The world

Which countries use apostilles?

Uses apostilles: A member of the Apostille Convention. An apostille from here is accepted in other member countries.
Joining soon: Has joined the Convention, but the date it starts to apply is still in the future.
No apostille: Not a member of the Convention. Documents need a different process, usually called legalisation.