The electronic Apostille Pilot Program

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The electronic Apostille Pilot Program FAQs (frequently-asked questions)

Category: Main -> 2. The e-Apostille Pilot Programme (e-APP)

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2.1 What is the e-APP?

Under the e-APP, the HCCH and the NNA are, together with any interested State (or any of its internal jurisdictions), developing, promoting and assisting in the implementation of low-cost, operational and secure software for:

  • (i) the issuance and use of electronic Apostilles (e-Apostilles), and

  • (ii) the creation and operation of electronic Registers of Apostilles (e-Registers).


    • Implementing this software is a suggestion only - the e-APP does not impose any specific software or technology. Competent Authorities can develop or use comparable open source or proprietary software to accomplish the same goals.

    The e-APP is designed to illustrate how the Conclusions and Recommendations of the 2003 Special Commission meeting on the practical operation of the Hague Apostille Convention and the 2005 International Forum on e-Notarization and e-Apostilles can be implemented in practice.

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    2.2 What is the purpose of the e-APP?

    The e-APP has two main components:

  • Comprehensive explanatory material as to how Competent Authorities may use PDF technology and digital certificates to issue e-Apostilles, and how third parties can use such e-Apostilles; and

  • Open-source software for the creation and operation of e-Registers by Competent Authorities, and an explanation as to how third parties can use such e-Registers.


    • The e-APP's core objective is to demonstrate how already existing and widely used technology allows for the easy, straightforward and practical implementation and operation of e-Apostilles and e-Registers. The e-APP is designed to inform and educate interested Competent Authorities, other State officials and relying parties (end-users) about the potential benefits of e-Apostilles and e-Registers and the availability of affordable and secure technology to issue e-Apostilles and operate e-Registers. The software suggested under the e-APP is simple, effective and easy to rely upon; the open-source software developed for the operation of e-Registers is made available for free to interested States and Competent Authorities.

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    2.3 What are the advantages of the e-APP?

    The e-APP:

  • Modernizes the operation of the Apostille Convention by extending it into the electronic medium without changing its nature and without having to change its content;

  • Makes the overall operation of the Convention more effective, enhances security and offers a powerful and effective deterrent to fraud;

  • Is offered to any Competent Authority at no cost.

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    2.4 Does the e-APP comply with the Apostille Convention?

    Yes. The practical operation of the Apostille Convention was most recently reviewed during a Special Commission meeting held in 2003. Most importantly, the Special Commission noted that the "spirit and letter" of the Apostille Convention does "not constitute an obstacle to the usage of modern technology and that [its] application and operation can be further improved by relying on such technologies."

    Competent Authorities that are considering issuing e-Apostilles are encouraged to contact potential receiving jurisdictions to assess whether they will accept e-Apostilles.

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    2.5 What is the timeframe for the e-APP?

    The e-APP stretches over a period of four years. The Program was officially launched in April 2006. The ultimate - and ambitious - goal of the e-APP is that, at the end of the fourth year:

  • Competent Authorities of the majority of States that are party to the Apostille Convention will issue e-Apostilles and / or operate e-Registers of Apostilles; and

  • the majority of States that are party to the Apostille Convention will accept e-Apostilles.

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    2.6 Which jurisdictions have implemented the e-APP so far?

    In February 2007 the State of Kansas in the United States issued the first test e-Apostille in accordance with the model suggested under the e-APP. The receiving State was Colombia, which in turn officially indicated its acceptance of the test e-Apostille. As a result, the two jurisdictions are now ready to complete authentications of public documents entirely electronically.

    Further, in February 2007 the State of Rhode Island in the United States became the first Competent Authority to implement and operate an e-Register as suggested under the e-APP. Any interested person can now conduct a secure, online search for an Apostille issued by the Competent Authority of Rhode Island by entering its number and date and the register will show automatically if a matching entry can be found, thus allowing receiving parties to verify the origin of the Apostille much more quickly and efficiently than can be accomplished currently.

    An updated status report for the e-APP can be found here.

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