Document types
Adoption documentsApostille basics
Also called: adoption order, adoption decree, adoption certificate.
The document
What it is
The court order or administrative decision that establishes an adoption, and related certificates.
Usually issued by: The court or the authority that granted the adoption.
The rule
Can it get an apostille?
Yes. It comes from an authority, so it is a public document under Article 1 of the Apostille Convention. The apostille is issued in the country that issued the adoption documents.
Article 1 of the Apostille Convention (Hague Conference on Private International Law) lists the public documents it covers: court documents, administrative documents, notarial acts and certificates that an authority places on private documents.
Step by step
How to get an apostille for a adoption documents
- Get the original, or a certified extract, from the office that issued it.
- Apply for the apostille in the same country, at the office that country has designated for this kind of document.
- Check with the office that will receive it whether it also needs a translation.
The office, fee and steps differ by country. Open the guide for the country that issued the document, or check two countries to see whether an apostille works where you need it.
Note: Good to know
- Intercountry adoptions follow their own Hague Convention of 1993, which has separate rules.
Questions
Questions about a adoption documents
What is a adoption documents?
The court order or administrative decision that establishes an adoption, and related certificates.
Can a adoption documents get an apostille?
Yes. It comes from an authority, so it is a public document under Article 1 of the Apostille Convention. The apostille is issued in the country that issued the adoption documents.
How do I get an apostille for a adoption documents?
Get the original, or a certified extract, from the office that issued it. Apply for the apostille in the same country, at the office that country has designated for this kind of document. Check with the office that will receive it whether it also needs a translation.
What does the apostille confirm?
An apostille only confirms the signature, the role of the person who signed and any seal or stamp on the document. It does not confirm what the document says. The office that receives the document decides what it accepts.
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