On August 30, 2016, Chile has joint the 113 Convention States Parties.

The Apostille Convention (also known as Apostille Treaty or Hague Convention), abolishes the requirement of diplomatic or consular legalization for foreign public documents.

Thus, it replaces the legalization formalities process (chain certification) with the mere issuance of an Apostille. The Convention applies only to public documents. These are documents emanating from an authority or official connected with a court or tribunal of the State, administrative documents, notarial acts, and official certificates which are placed on documents signed by persons in their private capacity, such as official certificates recording the registration of a document or the fact that it was in existence on a certain date and official and notarial authentications of signatures.

The Apostille facilitates the circulation of public documents which emanate from one country party and that must be used in another one (also country party).

Signed on October 5 1961, 113 countries are parties to the Convention so far, including Argentina. For Chile Republic it entered into force on August 30, 2016.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.