The 1961 Hague Convention abolished the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents for member countries and instituted a process of certification for public (including notarized) documents, which are destined for use in countries that have joined the convention.  The United States of America joined this Convention and adopted its rules on October 15, 1981.

Business and Legal Documents destined for use in participating countries and their territories must now be be certified "Authentic" by an official in the jurisdiction from which the document has been executed.

This Jurisdictional Official must be designated as competent to issue certifications by "Apostille" as provided for by the 1961 Hague Convention.  (The full text of the Convention may be found in T.I.A.S. 10072; 33 U.S. Treaty Series (UST) 883; 527 U.N. Treaty Series (UNTS) 189, and Martindale-Hubble International Law Digest)

All Pro Legal Investigations, P.A. is completely familiar with The Hague Convention as it applies to Apostille requirements and obtaining Apostilles from all Jurisdictional Officials.  Our services have been utilized by Law Firms, Businesses, Individuals, Adopting Parents and Adoption Agencies across the United States.