Apostilles and Authentications

NPA Handbook  •  July 2010 NPA Resolution  •  Status Table, Contracting States  •  How to Read the Status Table   ABCs of Apostilles  •  Apostille Handbook  •  Resources

Notary Public Administrators’ Handbook on Apostilles and Authentications©, Fourth Edition

The Notary Public Administrators Section of NASS is pleased to present this 2024 update to the Handbook on Apostilles and Authentications.
This comprehensive guide for U.S. competent authorities INCLUDES the NPA Section's Apostille Issuance Guidelines, designed as a quick, concise reference tool for notary administrators or staff who are unsure whether to accept or reject a particular request for an Apostille.
Use of this Handbook will help U.S. competent authorities:

• Conform with basic requirements of the Hague Apostille Convention, as well as Conclusions and Recommendations;

• Reduce intended recipients' rejections of U.S. state-issued Apostilles;

• Improve security of the Apostille to reduce misuse and abuse.

July 2010 NPA Section Resolution

To promote uniformity in the format, design and affixation of Apostilles.

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View a sample of Rhode Island's allonge, which complies with the NPA Resolution and notably, reflects the Hague trilingual uniform certificate.

Do I issue an Apostille or Authentication?

The Apostille Section of the Hague Conference on Private International Law maintains the authoritative list of countries ("contracting states") that have joined the Hague Apostille Convention.

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From the Apostille Section of the Hague Conference on Private International Law:

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