Is Your Country in the Convention?

Before you order an apostille, there is one thing to confirm: does the country where the document will be used accept it? The answer decides whether you need an apostille or a legalization, and a wrong guess costs both time and money.

Why membership matters

An apostille is recognized between countries that belong to the Hague Apostille Convention. Turkey has been a member since 1985. If the destination is also a member, an apostille is the right certification. If it is not, an apostille will not be recognized and the document needs consular legalization instead. We explain the difference in Apostille or Consular Legalization?

How to check

• Use the official status table. The Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) publishes a status table for the Apostille Convention on its website. It is the most reliable source.
• Ask the receiving office. It knows what it accepts. If you can, get its answer in writing.
• Ask us. Tell us the destination country and we will confirm which route applies.

Why old lists mislead

Membership changes over time, as new countries join. A list on an old blog post or forum may be out of date, and a country that was not a member a few years ago may be one today. Check the current status, not a list you found by chance.

Things to watch for

• Objections between countries. In a few cases, one member has objected to another's accession, so the Convention does not apply between those two. If your destination is a member, it is still worth checking that it applies to Turkey.
• Territories and regions. Some territories are treated separately from the country they belong to. Check the exact place where the document will be used.
• The receiving office's own rules. Even within the Convention, an office may have additional requirements, such as a translation. Ask what they are.

If the country is not a member

The document goes through consular legalization instead, which involves the embassy or consulate of the destination country in Turkey. Each embassy sets its own rules, so ask the embassy what it requires before you start.

Mistakes that cost time

• Relying on an old list. Check the current status.
• Assuming a neighboring or similar country has the same status. Each country decides for itself.
• Getting an apostille for a non-member country. The time and fees are lost.
• Not checking the exact place. A territory or region may be treated differently from the main country.
• Not asking the receiving office. It has the last word on what it accepts.

How we help

Tell us where the document is going and who will receive it. We will confirm whether it needs an apostille or legalization, and then handle the steps for you. For documents that qualify, we can also use our remote E-Apostille service.