If you need to use a U.S. document overseas, one of the first questions you may have is: what countries require an apostille? Apostilles are commonly required when public documents issued in one country need to be recognized in another country that participates in the Hague Apostille Convention. The process simplifies international document authentication by replacing the traditional multi-step legalization process with a standardized certificate. Understanding which countries require an apostille, what documents may need one, and where to obtain it can help you avoid delays when submitting documents abroad.
What Countries Require an Apostille?
When people ask what countries require an apostille, they are generally asking whether their destination country participates in the Hague Apostille Convention. If a public document originates in one Convention country and is going to be used in another country where the Convention applies, an apostille can generally replace traditional embassy or consular legalization.
As of September 2026, the Hague Conference on Private International Law lists 130 Contracting Parties to the Apostille Convention. However, the Convention has not yet entered into force for every recently acceding country. Thailand’s effective date is February 28, 2027, while the Convention is scheduled to enter into force for Viet Nam on September 11, 2026.
It is also important to understand that membership does not automatically mean every document sent between every pair of participating countries will qualify. Certain countries have made objections to the accession of particular countries, meaning the Convention may not operate between those specific countries. Always confirm the current requirements for the destination country before submitting your documents.
Which Countries Require an Apostille for International Documents?
The following countries are currently parties to the Hague Apostille Convention where the Convention has entered into force as of September 2, 2026.
A–C
- Albania
- Algeria
- Andorra
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Australia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Bahamas
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Belize
- Bolivia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Brunei Darussalam
- Bulgaria
- Burundi
- Cabo Verde
- Canada
- Chile
- China
- Colombia
- Cook Islands
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
D–H
- Denmark
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Estonia
- Eswatini
- Fiji
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- Honduras
- Hungary
I–M
- Iceland
- India
- Indonesia
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- Kosovo
- Kyrgyzstan
- Latvia
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malawi
- Malta
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Monaco
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Morocco
N–R
- Namibia
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- Niue
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Palau
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Republic of Korea
- Republic of Moldova
- Romania
- Russian Federation
- Rwanda
S–U
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Samoa
- San Marino
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Saudi Arabia
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Africa
- Spain
- Suriname
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Tajikistan
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tunisia
- Türkiye
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
V–Z
- Vanuatu
- Venezuela
This list reflects countries for which the Apostille Convention has entered into force as of September 2, 2026. Because countries can join the Convention and existing parties can make or withdraw objections, applicants should verify current Hague Convention status whenever they need an apostille for an international transaction.
Countries Joining the Apostille Convention Soon
Two countries deserve special attention because they have become Contracting Parties but their effective dates fall after September 2, 2026.
Vietnam
Vietnam acceded to the Apostille Convention on December 31, 2025. The Convention is scheduled to enter into force for Vietnam on September 11, 2026. Until the applicable effective date and relationship between the relevant countries are confirmed, documents intended for use in Vietnam may still require the traditional authentication and legalization process.
Thailand
Thailand deposited its accession to the Convention on June 30, 2026. Its scheduled entry-into-force date is February 28, 2027. Until then, an apostille should not automatically be assumed to replace existing legalization procedures for documents being sent to Thailand.
These upcoming changes illustrate why it is important to check the latest requirements rather than relying on an older list of which countries require an apostille.
Does Every Hague Convention Country Always Require an Apostille?
No. Being a party to the Apostille Convention does not mean that an apostille is required for every international document.
Whether you need one depends on factors including:
- The country where the document was issued
- The country where the document will be presented
- The type of document
- The organization or government agency receiving it
- Whether another treaty or law eliminates authentication requirements
- Whether the Convention is in force between the two countries
- Whether the receiving organization has additional translation or certification requirements
Some foreign agencies may accept certain documents without an apostille, while others specifically request one. Before beginning the process, it is a good idea to ask the recipient exactly what type of authentication is necessary.
Which Countries Do Not Use Apostilles?
Countries that do not participate in the Hague Apostille Convention generally use a different procedure known as authentication and legalization.
The U.S. Department of State explains that authentication certificates are used for documents intended for countries outside the 1961 Hague Convention framework. Depending on the destination and document type, additional legalization through the destination country’s embassy or consulate may also be necessary.
Instead of assuming every international document needs an apostille, first determine whether the destination country participates in the Convention.
A typical non-Hague process may involve:
- Properly preparing or notarizing the document.
- Obtaining authentication from the appropriate state or federal authority.
- Completing any additional U.S. Department of State authentication that applies.
- Having the document legalized through the destination country’s embassy or consulate when required.
The exact sequence varies considerably, which is one reason professional document authentication assistance can be useful.
California Apostilles for International Documents
For residents and businesses in California, many state and locally issued documents can receive an apostille from the California Secretary of State.
Examples may include properly prepared:
- California birth certificates
- California marriage certificates
- California death certificates
- California court documents
- FBI background checks
- Documents notarized by California notaries
- Business documents
- Powers of attorney
- Affidavits and declarations
- School-related documents
The California Secretary of State currently issues a single apostille certificate for documents intended for use outside the United States regardless of the named destination country. The receiving country’s Convention status still determines how the document will ultimately be recognized overseas.
For notarized documents, the apostille authenticates the notary’s signature and official capacity rather than confirming the truth or legal effect of the underlying document.
State Apostilles vs. Federal Apostilles
Another important part of understanding what countries require an apostille is knowing which U.S. authority handles your document.
State-Level Documents
Documents issued or notarized at the state level generally need to be apostilled by the competent authority in that state.
For California documents, that will often be the California Secretary of State.
Federal Documents
Federal documents are generally authenticated through the U.S. Department of State.
Examples can include:
- FBI background checks
- Certain federal court documents
- Documents issued by federal agencies
- Federal certifications
- Certain naturalization documents
The U.S. Department of State specifically identifies FBI background checks and other federal records among documents that may require federal apostille certification when they will be used in Hague Convention countries.
Submitting a federal document to the wrong state office can delay the process, so identifying the document’s issuing authority is essential.
Common Reasons People Need International Apostilles
Apostilles are used for a wide range of personal, professional, educational, and business matters.
You may need an apostille when:
- Applying for dual citizenship
- Getting married overseas
- Moving or working abroad
- Applying for residency or a visa
- Attending a foreign university
- Teaching overseas
- Completing an international adoption
- Conducting international business
- Establishing a foreign corporation
- Buying or selling foreign property
- Providing a power of attorney overseas
- Completing inheritance or probate matters
- Submitting a criminal background check
- Providing vital records to a foreign government
Because each transaction is different, never assume that a document requires an apostille solely because it will be used internationally.
How to Know Whether Your Destination Country Requires an Apostille
If you are still wondering which countries require an apostille, use a simple checklist before submitting your documents.
Confirm the destination country
Determine exactly where the document will be presented.
Check Hague Apostille Convention status
Verify whether the destination country currently participates in the Convention and whether the Convention is in force between the issuing and destination countries.
Ask the receiving authority
Contact the government agency, university, attorney, employer, foreign consulate, or other organization receiving your paperwork.
Ask whether they require:
- An apostille
- Authentication and consular legalization
- A certified translation
- A certified copy
- An original document
Determine where the document was issued
California documents, documents from another state, and federal documents may require completely different processing.
Confirming these details early can prevent rejected documents, unnecessary fees, and missed international deadlines.
Get Help With International Apostille and Notary Services From VIP Notary Services
At VIP Notary Services, we provide professional mobile notary and apostille services for customers throughout Santa Monica and surrounding communities. We are a California certified traveling mobile Notary Public, licensed and bonded by the State of California and a member of the National Notary Association. Whether you have a single document or a high-volume notarization request, we help make the document preparation process more convenient by bringing mobile notary services directly to you.
We assist customers with real estate documents, loan document signings, legal documents, apostille services, and many other documents requiring notarization or international authentication assistance. Our mobile service area includes Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Beverly Hills, Century City, Culver City, Venice, Malibu, Marina Del Rey, Bel Air, West Los Angeles, Brentwood, Westwood, Hollywood, West Hollywood, and surrounding areas. With mobile availability 24 hours a day, seven days a week, we can help you determine the appropriate next steps based on the type of document you have and where it will be used.
Need an Apostille for an International Document? Contact VIP Notary Services Today
Knowing what countries require an apostille is only the first step. Your document must also be properly prepared, notarized when necessary, and submitted through the appropriate state or federal authentication process. Getting those details right can make the difference between a document being accepted overseas and having it returned for corrections.
If you need an international apostille for documents being used abroad, get in touch with us here at VIP Notary Services. We provide convenient mobile notary and apostille services throughout Santa Monica and surrounding areas and can assist with documents for personal, legal, educational, business, and international purposes.
Contact VIP Notary Services today for a free quote or to schedule an appointment for your apostille or mobile notary needs.
FAQs
Countries where the Hague Apostille Convention is in force generally accept apostilles for eligible U.S. documents. Before submitting paperwork, confirm that the Convention applies between the United States and the destination country and that the receiving authority specifically requires an apostille.
No. Countries that are not part of the Hague Apostille Convention generally do not accept an apostille as a substitute for traditional document legalization. Documents going to non-Hague countries may require authentication followed by legalization through the destination country’s embassy or consulate.
Common documents include birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, powers of attorney, diplomas, transcripts, court records, corporate documents, and background checks. The appropriate apostille process depends on whether the document was issued at the state or federal level.
An apostille may potentially be recognized in multiple Hague Convention countries, but acceptance depends on the document and the receiving authority’s requirements. If you plan to use the same document in several countries, confirm the requirements with each destination beforehand.