Apostille
An apostille is a form of authentication issued by a competent government authority that certifies a document for use in countries party to the 1961 Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents.
What it means
An apostille confirms the authenticity of the signature, the capacity of the official who signed the document, and the identity of any seal or stamp on the document. It does not authenticate the content of the document itself. As of 2023, electronic apostilles (e-Apostilles) are accepted by many Hague Convention member countries for electronically signed documents.
Why it matters for e-signatures
For internationally executed contracts, knowing whether an apostille is required and whether an e-apostille is accepted determines whether your SignOwl-signed document will be recognized abroad without additional legalization steps.
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
Is an apostille the same as notarization?
No. Notarization is a domestic authentication step, while an apostille is an international certification of that notarization or other official signature, making the document acceptable in foreign countries.
Can electronically signed documents receive an e-Apostille?
Yes, in many countries. The Hague Conference has developed standards for e-Apostilles, and an increasing number of member countries accept them for electronically signed public documents.
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