The apostille is a creation of an international treaty, the Hague Convention of 1961. The United States of America joined the Hague Convention in 1981. The Convention provides for, among other things, the certification of public documents to be used in countries that have joined the Convention. In accordance with the provisions of the Convention, this office issues apostilles only for documents intended for use in foreign countries that also are signatories of the Convention.  This document is the equivalent of a Certificate of Authority used in countries that are not participants in the Hague Treaty. 

An apostille has the same requirements, the same fee, and the same instructions as a Certificate of Authority.  Apostilles shall not at any time be issued for use in the United States.