What is an apostille and why is it important?

An apostille is a form of authentication or legalization of public documents used in international legal transactions. It is important because it confirms the validity of public documents in one country so they can be recognized in another country that is a member of the Apostille Convention. For foreign nationals, this procedure is crucial as it ensures that documents such as birth certificates, diplomas, or court decisions are recognized in another country, which may be necessary, for example, when applying for a work permit.

Find out which documents require an apostille here.