Your offshore company:
A look at the paperwork

Apostille

OFFSHORE-FOX.COM
with Peter Widder

(Part 11 of 12)

An Apostille is a government-issued certification of an underlying public document, as set by the Hague Convention of October 5th, 1961. An apostille ensures that a document issued in one country is accepted in another.

An apostille is similar to a signature verification by a notary public -- it is not a document in its own right. Unlike a notary's verification, however, an apostille is recognised across jurisdictions -- at least in those countries that signed up to the Convention.

Apostilles are issued in a standard format by a designated government authority (such as office of the Secretary of State, justice ministry, or similar) and confirm as true the name, signature, seal and capacity of the official who signed the underlying document.

Many offshore incorporation agents will -- for an additional fee -- have your company documentation apostilled; this will confirm its authenticity beyond the borders of the country of incorporation.

See sample Apostille >>