The original 1961 Hague Apostille Convention text doesn’t mandate a single, specific method for how officials in a receiving country must technically verify an apostille they receive.

When the Convention was drafted, verification primarily relied on:

  • Recognising the standardised format (the French heading “Apostille…” and the 10 numbered points).
  • Trusting the official seal and signature of the designated Competent Authority from the issuing member state (which, as we explain in FAQ, is who issues apostilles).

Direct confirmation with the issuing authority was theoretically possible but often impractical back then.

Modern verification & the e-APP:

However, the administration of the Convention has evolved significantly with technology.

The e-APP (electronic Apostille Programme), initiated by the HCCH to bring the Convention into the digital age (we cover this in FAQ: What is the e-APP), strongly recommends and provides technical standards for member countries to implement online electronic registers.

These registers are now the common international best practice. They allow anyone with the apostille number to check key details online, confirming authenticity instantly.

Is the online register mandatory by the Convention?

While the e-APP highly recommends an online register as essential for a trustworthy e-Apostille system, the original 1961 Convention text does not explicitly mandate its operation for all member states.

The UK verification system (Covers both paper and e-apostilles):

The UK FCDO fully embraces this modern approach. They provide a reliable, free online service on the GOV.UK website specifically for verifying apostilles they have issued.

Importantly, this online tool allows you to check the validity of both modern paper apostilles and electronic e-apostilles issued by the FCDO, using the unique reference number found on the certificate (we detail the steps in our separate FAQ, How do I verify an e-apostille?.

So, while the original Convention focused on acceptance based on the standard format, the modern implementation relies heavily on these online registers (like the UK’s) for quick and secure verification of both types of apostille.

This robust system enhances trust and efficiency, supporting the smooth processing needed for all legalisation, including the urgent apostille services we offer in London.