An apostille is a type of authentication or certification used for international documents. It is a specific form of legalization that verifies the authenticity of a document’s origin and the signature of the official who has signed it. The purpose of an apostille is to simplify the process of document recognition and acceptance in countries that are party to the Hague Apostille Convention.

An apostille is typically used for public documents, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, academic transcripts, or powers of attorney, that need to be presented in a foreign country. The apostille is attached to the document by a designated authority in the country where the document was issued. Each country has its own designated authority responsible for issuing apostilles, such as a government department or a notary public.

It is important to note that an apostille is not required for every international document. The need for an apostille depends on the specific requirements of the foreign country where the document will be used. If you require an apostille, you should contact the designated authority in your country for more information on the process and requirements.