An Apostille certificate is added to any kind of legal document for use overseas. Once attached this formerly legalises the document.

1. Apostille & Legalisation Services Ltd
Registered office address: Suite 43-45 Airport House, Purley Way, Croydon, CR0 0XZ
Registered Company number: 11092262
Apostille & Legalisation Services Ltd
Suite 3, 9-13 Bocking End, Braintree,
CM7 9AE
www.apostille-services.co.uk
Tel: 020 8017 2216
E: info@apostille-services.co.uk
Apostille Certificates and Hague Conventions
Ever wondered what an Apostille Certificate is, or how they came to be? Unfortunately, often people
learn the hard way - and at difficult times - about Apostille Certificates when handling probate
matters on overseas estates.
An Apostille Certificate can certainly be advantageous when handling legal documentation across
countries, as they simplify and speed up processing.
Hague Conventions
The Hague Conference was first held in 1893, with the aim of simplifying legal activities between its
member countries.
Hague Conventions are created by members of the Hague Conference, and cover Private and
International Law. A Hague Convention stipulates how member countries standardise a specific legal
process between jurisdictions.
At present, there are over 70 members of the Hague Conference, but each Convention is not
automatically adopted by all member countries.
What is an Apostille Certificate?
An Apostille Certificate is a form of legalisation of documents that avoids the need for consular or
diplomatic approval.
Hague Convention 12 - the “Convention abolishing the requirement of legalisation for foreign public
documents” - came into force in January 1965.
With a simple Apostille Certificate issued to specific standard format, no further legalisation or
authentication of documents is necessary when presented into another member country. For
example, an Apostille Certificate could be use in validating an individual’s identity or documentation
for visa processing in another member country.

2. Apostille & Legalisation Services Ltd
Registered office address: Suite 43-45 Airport House, Purley Way, Croydon, CR0 0XZ
Registered Company number: 11092262
Will an Apostille Certificate be accepted in a non-
member country?
If a country is not a member of the Hague Conference, they may accept foreign document if it’s been
issued with an Apostille Certificate and then legalised at their own Consular section in the originating
country.
Apostille Certificates and Grant of Probate
Apostille Certificates are commonly required when managing probate and estate matters across
countries. For example, if a deceased person held assets overseas, legal processes will involve legal
documentation which will likely need Apostille Certification.
If a country is a member of a Hague Convention, then an Apostille Certificate will likely be recognised
for processing of Grant of Probate, Death Certificates and wills. Having an Apostille Certificate will
often simplifying processing of estate matters, and in some cases may even reduce the amount of
documentation required.
Conclusion: Apostille Certificates can certainly make life
easier
If you work across countries, for instance as an expat , you may need Apostille Certificates to process
residency or even visa applications.
If you have family or assets overseas, or are involved in probate matters across countries, then you
may need Apostille Certificate/s to simplify any processing or submissions.
Although specialist advice from independent and experienced legal advisors and financial planners
should always be sought, having your legal documents validated with an Apostille Certificate could
be extremely useful.