Most applicants get confused by a common question when they prepare documents to be used internationally. Why do other countries accept an Apostille and others demand that documents to be attested by an embassy. The solution is in international conventions, law systems and the recognition of foreign documents in countries. It is possible to learn about the difference between the apostille and the embassy legalization in order to save time, money, and frustration.

Apostille certificate refers to a kind of international document authentication that is issued under the Hague apostille convention of 1961. It confirms the authenticity of the signature, seal or stamp of a public document such that it can be accepted in any other member country.

When the issuing country and destination country are members of the Hague Convention, then documents do not require an embassy visit but just an apostille.

The Hague Convention countries receive the apostilled documents without further legalization. To these countries the apostille process is taken as enough evidence of authenticity.

Apostille is normally issued on:

• Educational certificates

• Birth and marriage certificates.

• Police Clearance certificates

• Documents issued by court and notary.

In this instance, the document can be used internationally to member countries in case the apostille requirements are satisfied.

The Reasons why some countries insist on Embassy Attestation.

The Hague Convention is not applicable to all the countries. Apostille certificates are not recognized in countries that are not members to this agreement. Rather, they need a greater elaboration in legalizing it by engaging:

• State-level verification

• Attestation of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

• Attestation of an embassy or a consulate.

• In some instances, MOFA in the receiving country.

These nations want to use embassy stamps in order to make documents correspond to national legal requirements.

The Major Difference between Apostille and Embassy Attestation.

The distinction is not in type of documents, it is in destination country specifications.

Apostille - Only accepted by the countries of Hague Convention.

Embassy Attestation - Obligatory of non-Hague countries.

To illustrate, the European world is mostly open to apostille, whereas the countries of the Middle East, Africa, and Asia demand full legalization of the embassies.

The procedures of apostille usually include:

• Checking by the concerned authority.

• Issued stamp by the required administrative organisation.

• Direct application of the apostilled document in the destination country.

Although the process is not as complex as embassy attestation, it is important to be accurate. Mishandling will result in rejection in the foreign market.

The process of going through the apostille requirements in the UAE can be a puzzle when the applicants have no idea on whether the apostille process or embassy attestation. 

Professional apostille services UAE assist in knowing:

• Does your country of destination accept apostille.

• What are the documents that are eligible to apostille.

• Whether or not further attestation is necessary.

• Experts’ services minimize time wastage, mistakes and adherence to the international regulations.

• Making the correct choice with your documents.

It all depends on the destination of your documents to either have an apostille certificate or embassy stamps. This differentiation can be better understood to facilitate easy visa processing, employment permits and legalization of one in foreign countries.

Always check the rules of the destination country beforehand, or get professional attestation professionals to do it, so that when you start you get your documents ready in the right format the first time.