Islamabad, March 09, 2023 (PPI-OT): Government of Pakistan has acceded to the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents (apostle Convention) of 1961. The convention shortens the public document authentication process to a single formality i.e. issuance of an authentication certificate called as ‘Apostle’ by the designated authority of the country where the document was issued.

Thus foreign public documents authenticated by apostle can be directly presented to the concerned authorities without any other attestation requirement.

In line with the obligations as contracting state of the Convention, concerned authorities of Pakistan will now accept the Foreign Apostle Certificates issued by the members/contracting States of the convention from the date of entry into force i.e. 9th March 2023, without any requirement of attestation from Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Pakistan Missions abroad.

The process of issuance of ‘Apostle Certificates’ by Pakistan will also commence in few months upon completion of necessary legislation and other requirements. Normal Attestation Services will continue as usual at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Camp Offices and Pakistan Missions abroad.

For more information, contact:
Spokesman
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Government of Pakistan
Tell: +92-51-9205494
Fax: +92-51-9204202
Cell: +92-336-5644459
Website: www.mofa.gov.pk