Update on the e-APP

Designed to facilitate the authentication of public documents for use abroad, the electronic Apostille Programme (e-APP) has become an integral part of the operation of the Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (1961 Apostille Convention). The e-APP has two components, which can be implemented separately or together: The...

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Kosovo signs the 2005 Choice of Court and 2019 Judgments Conventions

On 19 September 2024, H. E. Dr Dren Doli, Ambassador to the Netherlands, signed, on behalf of Kosovo, the Convention of 30 June 2005 on Choice of Court Agreements (2005 Choice of Court Convention) and the Convention of 2 July 2019 on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in Civil or Commercial Matters (2019 Judgments Convention). The 2005 Choice of Court Convention, which currently...

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Switzerland accedes to the 2005 Choice of Court Convention

On 18 September 2024 the Swiss Confederation deposited its instrument of accession to the Convention of 30 June 2005 on Choice of Court Agreements (2005 Choice of Court Convention). With the accession of Switzerland, 35 States and the European Union are bound by the 2005 Choice of Court Convention. It will enter into force for Switzerland on 1 January 2025. More information on this Convention is...

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Albania signs the 2019 Judgments Convention

On 12 September 2024, Ms Evi Naku, Head of Cabinet of the Minister of Justice, signed, on behalf of the Republic of Albania, the Convention of 2 July 2019 on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in Civil or Commercial Matters (2019 Judgments Convention). The 2019 Judgments Convention will enter into force for the Republic of Albania only after it deposits an instrument of...

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El Salvador accedes to the 1996 Child Protection Convention

Today, 10 September 2024, the Republic of El Salvador deposited its instrument of accession to the Convention of 19 October 1996 on Jurisdiction, Applicable Law, Recognition, Enforcement and Co-operation in respect of Parental Responsibility and Measures for the Protection of Children (1996 Child Protection Convention). With the accession of El Salvador, the 1996 Child Protection Convention now...

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13th International Forum on the e-APP: Registration now open!

The Permanent Bureau is pleased to announce that registration is now open for participation in the 13th International Forum on the electronic Apostille Programme (e-APP), which will take place on Monday 21 October and Tuesday 22 October 2024 in Astana, Kazakhstan. To be held for the first time in Central Asia, the Forum will be jointly organised by the HCCH, the Ministry...

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2007 Child Support Convention and 2007 Maintenance Obligations Protocol enter into force for Georgia

On 1 September 2024, the Convention of 23 November 2007 on the International Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of Family Maintenance (2007 Child Support Convention) and the Protocol of 23 November 2007 on the Law Applicable to Maintenance Obligations (2007 Maintenance Obligations Protocol) entered into force for Georgia, following the deposit of its instruments of ratification on 14 May...

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Romania signs the 2000 Protection of Adults Convention

Today, 29 August 2024, H.E. Mr Lucian Fătu, Ambassador of Romania to the Netherlands, signed, on behalf of Romania, the Convention of 13 January 2000 on the International Protection of Adults (2000 Protection of Adults Convention). The 2000 Protection of Adults Convention, which currently has 16 Contracting Parties, will enter into force for Romania only after it deposits an instrument of...

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Bangladesh accedes to the 1961 Apostille Convention

Today, 29 July 2024, the People’s Republic of Bangladesh deposited its instrument of accession to the Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (1961 Apostille Convention). With the accession of Bangladesh, the 1961 Apostille Convention now has 127 Contracting Parties. It will enter into force for Bangladesh on 30 March 2025. More...

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