What is the Hague Apostille Convention?

Published 25 March 2026 · Last updated 4 October 2026 · Official fees checked on GOV.UK 4 October 2026 (Companies House, FCDO)

The Hague Apostille Convention is a 1961 treaty under which member countries agree to accept a single certificate, the apostille, in place of the older chain of embassy or consular legalisation. For a UK company document, that means an FCDO apostille is normally enough for use in another member country. The HCCH status table (last updated 30 June 2026) lists 130 Contracting Parties; the Convention has applied to the UK since 24 January 1965.

This guide explains what the Convention does, what it does not do, which recent changes matter for UK companies and how to check a destination. UKCOGS is a private agent, not the FCDO or the HCCH.

What the Convention does

Before the Convention, a document travelling abroad often went through several stages: certification at home, legalisation by the foreign ministry, then legalisation by the destination’s embassy. The Convention, formally the Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents, replaced that chain between member countries with one certificate issued by a designated authority in the country where the document was issued.

In the UK, that authority is the FCDO Legalisation Office. It checks the signature or seal on the document against its records and attaches the apostille.

What an apostille certifies

An apostille confirms:

• the authenticity of the signature on the document
• the capacity in which the person signing acted
• where relevant, the identity of the seal or stamp

It does not certify that the content is correct, that the company is solvent or that the recipient must accept the document for its purpose. The recipient can still set rules on document age, translation and format.

Recent changes UK companies should know

The member list changes. Recent entries on the HCCH status table include:

Viet Nam’s accession drew objections from Germany, Austria and Czechia, so the Convention does not apply between Viet Nam and those countries, but the UK did not object. Source: HCCH status table, checked 4 October 2026.

Some important destinations for UK companies are still outside the Convention, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait. Documents for those countries usually need an FCDO apostille certificate followed by embassy legalisation.

How to check a destination

1. Check the HCCH status table for the country and its entry-into-force date.
2. Look for objections. If a member objected to a new accession, the Convention does not apply between those two countries.
3. Ask the recipient. Even within the Convention, recipients set their own rules on paper or e-Apostille, translation and age.
4. Check the document type. GOV.UK lists documents that can be legalised, including Companies House certificates, and says some documents are not eligible for an e-Apostille.

Our legalisation hub covers common destinations, and Which document do I need? helps you pick the Companies House document first.

Worked example

A UK company is signing a distribution agreement in Viet Nam. In 2025 the Vietnamese partner would have asked for an FCDO apostille followed by legalisation at the Vietnamese Embassy in London. Because the Convention entered into force for Viet Nam on 11 September 2026, and the UK did not object, the partner now accepts a Certificate of Good Standing with an FCDO apostille only. The company orders a COGS (£79 ex VAT through UKCOGS, including the £22 Companies House fee) and a quoted paper apostille, saving the embassy stage.

Common mistakes

• Using an old country list. Membership changes; check the date the Convention entered into force for your destination.
• Assuming membership means acceptance. The recipient still decides format, age and translation.
• Apostilling an uncertified download. A Companies House document needs an original official signature.
• Forgetting objections. A new member may not be in a Convention relationship with every existing member.
• Treating the apostille as a translation. Translation is a separate step.

Fees

FCDO apostille: £45 per document for standard paper (plus courier or postage), £35 for an e-Apostille, £40 for the business-only Next-Day paper service and £100 for Restricted Urgent (GOV.UK, checked 4 October 2026). Companies House certificate first: £22 standard or £65 express. UKCOGS orders the certificate on a buy-now basis through our Certificate of Good Standing page; apostille work is quote-only.

Frequently asked questions

Is the UK part of the Hague Apostille Convention?

Yes. The Convention has applied to the UK since 24 January 1965, and the FCDO Legalisation Office issues UK apostilles.

How many countries are in the Convention?

The HCCH status table, last updated 30 June 2026, lists 130 Contracting Parties.

Is the UAE part of the Convention?

No. The UAE does not appear on the HCCH status table, so UK documents usually need an apostille followed by UAE embassy legalisation.

Does Viet Nam accept apostilles now?

Yes, since 11 September 2026 for public documents within the Convention’s scope. The UK did not object to Viet Nam’s accession.

When will Thailand accept apostilles?

The Convention is scheduled to enter into force for Thailand on 28 February 2027. Until then, follow the current Thai legalisation route.

Does an apostille expire?

The apostille itself has no expiry, but the recipient may reject an old underlying document. See how fresh a COGS needs to be.

Is an e-Apostille valid under the Convention?

The FCDO issues e-Apostilles for eligible documents, but the recipient must accept the electronic format. Ask first.