RESOURCE · UPDATED MONTHLY
Apostille Country List 2026 — Every Country's Hague Convention Status
A complete, searchable directory of every country in the world and whether it accepts an Apostille under the 1961 Hague Convention — or requires full embassy legalization instead. Compiled monthly from official HCCH primary sources.
Last verified: · Source: HCCH Status Table (Convention 12)
How to use this list
- Find your destination country using the search box below, or filter by status.
- If the country shows "Apostille in force," your US-issued document needs a single Apostille — issued by the California Secretary of State for California-notarized or California vital records, or by the US Department of State for federal documents.
- If the country shows "Non-Hague," your document requires full embassy legalization: California authentication + US Department of State authentication + destination-country consulate legalization. Timelines run 3–8 weeks depending on the country.
- If the country shows "Pending accession," the country has signed but the Convention is not yet in force. Until the "expected in force" date, embassy legalization is still required.
| Country ▲ | Status | ||
|---|---|---|---|
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Showing 201 countries
What is an Apostille?
An Apostille (pronounced uh-poh-STEEL) is a certificate that authenticates the origin of a public document — such as a notarized document, birth certificate, marriage certificate, court order, or diploma — so that it can be legally recognized in a foreign country. The Apostille was created by the 1961 Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (Convention 12).
Apostille versus embassy legalization
For any country that is a member of the Hague Convention (129 countries as of 2026), the Apostille is the only authentication required. The destination country agrees in advance to accept it — no consulate involvement, no additional stamps.
For countries that are not members of the Hague Convention (70 countries), a document must go through the full embassy legalization chain: California Secretary of State authentication, then US Department of State authentication, then the destination country's consulate or embassy in the United States. This process takes 3–8 weeks in most cases; some consulates (China, Vietnam, UAE via non-Apostille path) require in-person appointments.
How this list is maintained
Every entry is drawn from the official HCCH Status Table for Convention 12. Our system checks the HCCH source monthly and updates this page when any country's status changes — a new accession, a change in in-force date, a formal objection, or a withdrawal. Countries with an active accession status but no in-force date yet (such as Algeria and Viet Nam in 2026) are flagged as "Pending" until the Convention enters into force for them.
Common questions
Does a California Apostille work everywhere?
Only for the 129 countries listed as "Apostille in force" above. For the 70 non-Hague countries, you need the full embassy legalization chain — a California Apostille alone will not be recognized.
My country accepted the Convention but the list says "Pending" — what does that mean?
Acceding to the Convention and having the Convention enter into force are two separate events, typically 6 months apart. During that window, embassy legalization is still required. Watch the "expected in force" date on the row.
What about Canada?
Canada acceded to the Hague Apostille Convention effective January 11, 2024. Canadian-issued documents can now receive an Apostille from the appropriate Canadian competent authority. US-issued documents going to Canada also use the Apostille process now — no more embassy legalization for US-to-Canada work.
What about China?
Mainland China (People's Republic of China) acceded to the Convention on March 8, 2023, entering into force November 7, 2023. Hong Kong and Macau have been Convention members separately since the 1960s–70s via UK/Portuguese succession. All three regions now use the Apostille process for US-issued documents.
Where do I get my Apostille?
For documents notarized in California or issued by California county recorders (birth, marriage, death certificates), the California Secretary of State issues the Apostille. Mobile American Notary handles the entire process — notarization, Apostille filing, and (when needed) certified translation and shipping. Personal documents from $175, business documents from $250, both all-inclusive of California's $20 government fee. See our Apostille service page for details or call (213) 933‑2507.
Need help getting your document Apostilled?
We handle the entire California Apostille process from notarization through the Secretary of State — plus certified translation and international shipping when needed. For non-Hague countries, we coordinate the full embassy legalization chain.