New Apostille Rules 2026: What Has Changed Worldwide | Global Docs Pro

The Hague Convention of 1961, abolishing the requirement of consular legalization for foreign official documents, is one of the most successful international treaties in the field of legal cooperation. By 2026, the number of participating countries reached 129, and the apostille procedure itself is undergoing a large-scale digital transformation. For people living abroad who need to legalize their documents, these changes have direct practical implications: from processing times to costs, and even the very possibility of obtaining an apostille without leaving their country of residence.

In this article, we have compiled all the key changes of 2022–2026 that affect the procedure for apostilling documents worldwide. Each fact is supported by a link to an official source — a regulatory act, a press release from a government body, or a page of the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH).

New participating countries: the Convention continues to expand

In recent years, the Hague Apostille Convention has been joined by several new participants. This means that documents issued in these countries no longer require multi-stage consular legalization — a single apostille stamp is sufficient.

Saudi Arabia — since 7 December 2022

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia officially became the 122nd participant in the Convention on 7 December 2022 (Fragomen; Saudi Central Bank (SAMA)). For Global Docs Pro’s Arab clients, this is one of the most significant changes: Saudis no longer need to go through consular legalization at the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Moscow — a Russian document apostille is sufficient. This shortens the processing time from 4–6 weeks to 5–7 business days.

China — since 7 November 2023

The People’s Republic of China joined the Convention on 7 November 2023. This decision is of key importance for international trade and document exchange, given China’s status as the world’s second-largest economy. The Convention applies to the entire territory of the PRC, including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau. Before accession, documents intended for use in China required consular legalization at the PRC Embassy — a lengthy and costly procedure. Now Russian documents are accepted in China with an apostille directly.

Canada — since 11 January 2024

Canada became the 125th participant in the Convention on 11 January 2024 — one of the most anticipated accessions, as Canada was one of the last major developed countries not party to the treaty. Each Canadian provincial authority appointed its own competent apostille authorities, while federal documents are certified through Global Affairs Canada. This has significantly simplified the procedure for immigrants, students, and companies working with Canadian documents.

Rwanda — since 5 June 2024

The Republic of Rwanda joined the Convention, which entered into force for the country on 5 June 2024 (HCCH, press release; Rwandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs). Rwanda has also applied for membership in the Hague Conference itself (HCCH). For foreigners working with Rwandan documents, this is a significant simplification of the procedure.

Bangladesh — since 30 March 2025

The People’s Republic of Bangladesh officially joined the Convention on 29 July 2024, and it entered into force for Bangladesh on 30 March 2025 (HCCH, press release). Documents issued in Bangladesh — birth certificates, diplomas, criminal record certificates — can now be apostilled instead of going through full consular legalization. This is particularly important for Bangladeshi students studying abroad and for labor migrants.

Algeria — since 9 July 2026

Algeria joined the Convention, which will enter into force for the country on 9 July 2026 (HCCH, press release; Embassy of Algeria in the Netherlands). This opens up simplified access to legalizing Algerian documents for education, immigration, and business purposes.

However, there is an important caveat: Germany has officially objected to Algeria’s accession to the Convention in accordance with Article 12 (HCCH, notifications). This means that Germany will not recognize Algerian apostilles on its territory. If you plan to use Algerian documents in Germany, you will still need full consular legalization.

Vietnam — since 11 September 2026

Vietnam has also joined the Convention — it will enter into force for the country on 11 September 2026. Previously, Vietnamese documents required consular legalization. This is a significant step for one of the largest economies in Southeast Asia, simplifying document processing for companies and migrants.

Brief overview of new participants 2022–2026

As of May 2026, the Convention has 129 participating countries (HCCH, Status Table). The complete and current list can always be found on the official HCCH website.

Arab countries — long-standing participants of the Convention

In addition to new members, it is important to remember that a number of Arab countries have long been participants in the Hague Convention:

For documents from these countries, an apostille is sufficient, without consular legalization.

Digital transformation: electronic apostille (e-APP)

The most significant change in the apostille procedure is the transition to the electronic apostille. The e-APP (electronic Apostille Program) was developed by the Hague Conference (HCCH) and the National Association of Secretaries of State of the USA (NASS) to create a standardized system of electronic apostilles and electronic registers. By 2026, dozens of countries have implemented or are in the process of implementing e-APP components.

Ukraine: new procedure since 1 February 2026

The most significant reform in the post-Soviet space has taken place in Ukraine. Order of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine No. 3177/5 dated 20 November 2025 approved the new Procedure for placing an apostille on official documents intended for use abroad (Delo.ua; Jurliga.LigaZakon; court.gov.ua).

Key changes:

1. Electronic Register of Apostilles. The apostille is now placed using the software tools of the Electronic Register of Apostilles. Each apostille is entered into the register, allowing its authenticity to be verified online.

2. Electronic copy of the apostille. When receiving an apostille in paper form, an electronic version is simultaneously provided. It can be downloaded from the official website of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine (apostille.minjust.gov.ua) (EU supported the launch; Pravda.com.ua).

3. Timeframes. Apostille is issued within three business days. Refusal — also within three business days with a reasoned justification.

4. Samples of signatures and seals. The new procedure defines the mechanism for entering samples of signatures, seal impressions, and key certificates of authorized officials into the register.

5. QR code. A QR code is placed on the apostille stamp, leading to the Ministry of Justice website, where you can instantly verify the authenticity of the apostille and the document (BestT.com.ua).

This reform has been implemented with the support of the European Union under the EU4Digital program and is part of a broader digital transformation of Ukrainian public services.

Kazakhstan: electronic apostille via eGov

Kazakhstan was one of the first countries in the post-Soviet space to implement the electronic apostille. The service is available through the eGov.kz portal: the applicant submits a request online, receives a security code, and downloads the electronic apostille (egov.kz; GOV.KZ). The rules for providing the public service are approved by the relevant order of the Ministry of Justice of Kazakhstan (Adilet.Zan.kz. The Ministry of Justice of Kazakhstan enters into the “E-Apostille” information system samples of signatures and seal impressions received from government bodies, ensuring the verification of electronic documents.

Kyrgyzstan: online processing

Kyrgyzstan has also launched an electronic apostille portal — apostille.minjust.gov.kg, where you can issue an e-apostille using an electronic digital signature (EDS). The electronic apostille is issued through the Unified Electronic Portal (PEP) by downloading it using a security code (security code and request code). In 2024, the Kingdom of Belgium officially confirmed its recognition of Kyrgyz apostilles — an important signal of international recognition of the Kyrgyz system.

Russia: gradual digitalization

In Russia, the electronic apostille is so far available in a limited format. The Russian Ministry of Justice places e-apostilles exclusively on electronic documents, and only at the Ministry of Justice (BuroImpression.ru; Legalizuem.ru. A document issued on paper cannot be converted to electronic format for apostille purposes — this is the key difference from Kazakhstan and Ukraine, where the e-apostille is also linked to paper documents.

Federal Law No. 330-FZ of 28 November 2015 “On the placement of an apostille on Russian official documents subject to export abroad” (ConsultantPlus, Article 10 provides that the maintenance of the apostille register can be carried out both in paper and electronic form, including with the use of automated information systems. Resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 1865 of 4 November 2023 approved the creation of the federal information system “Federal Register of Apostilles Placed on Education and/or Qualification Documents” (mos.ru). This is a first step toward a full electronic register, but a complete transition to e-APP in Russia has not yet taken place.

The state fee for placing an apostille in Russia is 2,500 rubles per document. The placement period is from 3 to 25 business days, depending on the body and the complexity of the request (Ministry of Justice of Russia, Sverdlovsk Region).

Belarus: Decree No. 278 and its consequences

Belarus is the only country in the post-Soviet space where the changes did not affect the apostille procedure itself, but rather the fundamental availability of consular services for citizens abroad. Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus No. 278 of 4 September 2023 “On the procedure for issuing documents and performing actions” (etalonline.by; president.gov.by; pravo.by) has radically changed the situation for Belarusians living abroad.

Main consequences of Decree No. 278:

1. Cessation of passport issuance abroad. Belarusian embassies and consulates no longer issue or renew passports for citizens outside the country. To obtain or exchange a passport, one must personally come to Belarus.

2. Ban on remote apostille. Belarusian citizens abroad can no longer apostille documents remotely through consulates. To place an apostille, one must apply to the competent authorities on the territory of Belarus (ISANS; Fragomen).

3. Restriction of notarial actions. Consulates have ceased performing a number of notarial actions, including certifying powers of attorney. This is especially critical for those who planned to issue a power of attorney to a representative for working with documents in Belarus.

4. Tightening for education. Educational documents (certificates, diplomas) can no longer be apostilled from abroad. Belarusian students studying abroad and needing an apostille on their certificate have to either come in person or look for alternative routes (Revera Legal).

Decree No. 278 has drawn sharp criticism from the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights: UN experts condemned the deprivation of Belarusians abroad of access to consular services as a violation of international law (OHCHR, 2023).

In addition, in Belarus, since 1 January 2026, the base value has been increased, leading to a higher cost of the apostille service.

Practical advice: If you are a Belarusian citizen living abroad and need an apostille on a Belarusian document, GlobalDocs Pro can help arrange it through a trusted person on the territory of Belarus. Contact us for a consultation.

What does apostille digitalization mean for ordinary people?

The transition to the electronic apostille is not just a technical innovation. It is a qualitative change in the entire document legalization process, affecting millions of people worldwide. Let’s explain what exactly changes for the applicant.

Processing speed

Whereas a paper apostille required a physical visit to the agency, waiting in queues, and sending documents by mail, an electronic apostille is ideally issued in a matter of minutes. In Kazakhstan, for example, the entire process — from submitting the application to receiving the e-apostille — takes one business day. In Ukraine, after the introduction of the new procedure, the period is three business days.

Authenticity verification

The QR code on the apostille allows any recipient of the document — a foreign agency, employer, university — to instantly verify the authenticity of the apostille through an online register. This eliminates the risk of forgery and increases trust in documents. Previously, verification required sending a request to the competent authority of the issuing country, which could take weeks.

Availability for citizens abroad

Theoretically, the electronic apostille makes personal presence in the document-issuing country unnecessary. If the destination country accepts the e-apostille, the entire process can be completed online. However, in practice, not all countries yet recognize electronic apostilles on an equal footing with paper ones. It is recommended to check in advance with the consulate of the destination country whether they accept e-apostilles.

Limitations and pitfalls

Despite the obvious advantages, the digitalization of the apostille also creates new problems. Not all participating countries of the Convention recognize electronic apostilles. In Russia, for example, the e-apostille is placed only on electronic documents, which limits its application — most people need an apostille on paper originals. In addition, access to the e-apostille often requires an electronic digital signature (EDS), which not every applicant has, especially among elderly people.

Summary table of changes by country

For convenience, we have compiled all the key changes in one table.

Recommendations for those who need an apostille in 2026

Based on the analysis of the changes, we have formulated practical recommendations for people who need to apostille their documents for use abroad.

1. Check the current list of participating countries. Before arranging your documents, make sure that the destination country accepts apostilles. The list is regularly updated — check the official HCCH website. If the country is not a party to the Convention, consular legalization will be required.

2. Check whether the country accepts e-apostilles. Even if the country is a participant in the Convention, it may not recognize electronic apostilles. Always check with the consulate or the receiving authority.

3. Belarusians: plan ahead. Due to Decree No. 278, apostilling Belarusian documents is only possible inside the country. If you are abroad, you will need a trusted person in Belarus or a personal visit.

4. Use electronic registers for verification. If you are given an apostilled document, verify its authenticity through the QR code or the online register of the issuing country. This takes minutes, but protects against forgery.

5. Contact specialists. The apostille procedure has many nuances depending on the type of document, the country of issue, and the country of destination. Mistakes cost time and money. GlobalDocs Pro has experience working with documents from Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and other countries — we will help you arrange an apostille correctly and on time.

Sources and links

• HCCH — Status table of the 1961 Apostille Convention: hcch.net — the official and most up-to-date source of information about participating countries.
• HCCH — Apostille section: hcch.net/instruments/conventions/specialised-sections/apostille — general information about the Convention and the e-APP program.
• Order of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine No. 3177/5 of 20.11.2025: New procedure for placing an apostille — Delo.ua, Jurliga.LigaZakon, court.gov.ua.
• Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus No. 278 of 04.09.2023: etalonline.by, president.gov.by, pravo.by.
• Federal Law of the Russian Federation No. 330-FZ of 28.11.2015: On placing an apostille on Russian official documents — ConsultantPlus.
• Resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 1865 of 04.11.2023: Federal register of apostilles on education documents — mos.ru.
• Rules for providing the “Apostille” public service in Kazakhstan: Adilet.Zan.kz, egov.kz.
• Saudi Arabia — accession to the Convention: Fragomen, Saudi Central Bank (SAMA).
• Algeria — accession to the Convention: HCCH, Fragomen, Embassy of Algeria in the Netherlands.
• Bangladesh — accession to the Convention: HCCH.
• Rwanda — accession to the Convention: HCCH, Rwandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• EU — support for the e-apostille in Ukraine: euneighbourseast.eu.
• Germany’s objection to Algeria’s accession: HCCH Notifications, Netherlands Treaty Database.
• List of participating countries of the Hague Convention (Embassy of Russia in the Netherlands): netherlands.mid.ru.
• UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights — criticism of Decree No. 278: OHCHR, 2023.