A List of Member Countries of The Hague Convention for Simplified Global Document Legalization

Author :Editorial Team | in
Category : FDI Company Registration
Published : 11-02-2025
Updated : 24-11-2025

Overview : The Hague Convention Abolished the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents among the member countries; it is an important international treaty that has transformed how official documents are recognised between nations. It was established on October 5, 1961, with the primary objective of simplifying the process by which documents issued in one country can be certified for legal purposes in all other countries that are signatories to the convention.

The Hague Convention has a central process called the Apostille, which provides a certification that authenticates the origin of public documents. This certification replaces the traditional chain of authentication process with a single formality, making it easier and quicker. The Apostille process has immense benefits, especially in today’s interconnected world, where cross-border transactions and movements are common.

Countries of Africa – Party to the Hague Convention
BotswanaBotswanaBurundiBurundiCape VerdeCape VerdeEgyptEgypt
Eswatini (Swaziland)Eswatini (Swaziland)LesothoLesothoLiberiaLiberiaMalawiMalawi
MauritiusMauritiusMoroccoMoroccoNamibiaNamibiaRwandaRwanda
SeychellesSeychellesSouth AfricaSouth Africa
Countries of Asia – Party to the Hague Convention
ArmeniaArmeniaAzerbaijanAzerbaijanBahrainBahrainBrunei DarussalamBrunei Darussalam
China (only Hong Kong & Macao)China (only Hong Kong & Macao)CyprusCyprusGeorgiaGeorgiaIndiaIndia
IsraelIsraelJapanJapanJordanJordanKyrgyzstanKyrgyzstan
MongoliaMongoliaOmanOmanPhilippinesPhilippinesQatarQatar
South KoreaSouth KoreaTajikistanTajikistanUzbekistanUzbekistan
Countries of Europe – Party to the Hague Convention
AlbaniaAlbaniaAndorraAndorraAustriaAustriaBelarusBelarus
BelgiumBelgiumBosnia and HerzegovinaBosnia and HerzegovinaBulgariaBulgariaCroatiaCroatia
CyprusCyprusCzech RepublicCzech RepublicDenmarkDenmarkEstoniaEstonia
FinlandFinlandFranceFranceGermanyGermanyGreeceGreece
HungaryHungaryIcelandIcelandIrelandIrelandItalyItaly
LatviaLatviaLiechtensteinLiechtensteinLithuaniaLithuaniaLuxembourgLuxembourg
MaltaMaltaMoldovaMoldovaMonacoMonacoMontenegroMontenegro
NetherlandsNetherlandsNorth MacedoniaNorth MacedoniaNorwayNorwayPolandPoland
PortugalPortugalRomaniaRomaniaRussian FederationRussian FederationSan MarinoSan Marino
SerbiaSerbiaSlovakiaSlovakiaSloveniaSloveniaSpainSpain
SwedenSwedenSwitzerlandSwitzerlandUkraineUkraineUnited Kingdom (with dependencies)United Kingdom (with dependencies)
Countries of North America – Party to the Hague Convention
Antigua and BarbudaAntigua and BarbudaBahamasBahamasBarbadosBarbadosBelizeBelize
CanadaCanadaCosta RicaCosta RicaDominicaDominicaDominican RepublicDominican Republic
El SalvadorEl SalvadorGrenadaGrenadaHondurasHondurasMexicoMexico
NicaraguaNicaraguaPanamaPanamaSaint Kitts and NevisSaint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSaint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesTrinidad and TobagoTrinidad and TobagoUnited States of AmericaUnited States of America
Countries of Oceania – Party to the Hague Convention
AustraliaAustraliaCook IslandsCook IslandsFijiFijiMarshall IslandsMarshall Islands
New ZealandNew ZealandNiueNiueSamoaSamoaTongaTonga
Trinidad and TobagoTrinidad and TobagoVanuatuVanuatu
Countries of South America – Party to the Hague Convention
ArgentinaArgentinaBrazilBrazilChileChileColombiaColombia
EcuadorEcuadorParaguayParaguayPeruPeruSurinameSuriname
UruguayUruguayVenezuelaVenezuela

Note : This list is subject to change, and readers are encouraged to refer to the latest updates. For more detailed information and to keep updated with the latest participating countries, readers are encouraged to visit the official Hague Convention website and other reputable legal resources.

Practical Implications

For individuals, the Hague Convention means a straightforward process when it comes to getting educational, personal, or business documents legalized for international use. For businesses, especially those involved in international trade, the Convention aids in reducing bureaucratic barriers, thus facilitating smoother transactions and expansions.

Exceptions and Considerations

Not all countries are members of the Hague Convention. In such instances, the traditional legalisation process, which often involves multiple levels of government authentication, is still in play. Additionally, the applicability of Apostilles may vary, and individuals and businesses need to be aware of these nuances.

Conclusion

The Hague Convention is a testament to the collaborative efforts of nations to ease global interactions. Whether it’s for personal or business purposes, understanding and utilising the Apostille process under the Hague Convention can significantly streamline international legal formalities.

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Author Bio

Editorial Team  

Setindiabiz Editorial Team is a multidisciplinary collective of Chartered Accountants, Company Secretaries, and Advocates offering authoritative insights on India’s regulatory and business landscape. With decades of experience in compliance, taxation, and advisory, they empower entrepreneurs and enterprises to make informed decisions.