If you are dealing with two countries at once, say a job in one and a family matter in another, it is natural to ask whether one apostilled document can serve both. Sometimes it can. Sometimes it cannot. The answer depends on the documents and on each receiving office.
An apostille is not tied to one country
Under the Hague Apostille Convention, an apostille confirms the origin of a public document: the authority of the signer and the seal or stamp on it. It is not addressed to a single named country. In principle, a document with a valid apostille can be presented in any country that is party to the Convention.
That is the in-principle answer. In practice, each receiving office sets its own rules about what it will accept.
Where it goes wrong
- One original, two offices. If both offices want to keep the original, one document cannot be in two places. You may need a second certified copy, each with its own apostille.
- Recency rules. One office may accept an older document while another wants a recent issue date. See how recent your document needs to be.
- Different destination rules. If one country uses the apostille and the other requires legalization, the same document will not work for both. Our post on apostille vs. legalization explains the difference, and this one shows how to check a country.
- Translation. Each country may want a translation into its own language, which is a separate step. See translate before or after the apostille.
Do not split one document to share it
Each apostille is attached to a specific document. Removing pages or unstapling to send parts to different offices can invalidate it. If you need more than one, order more than one. We explain this in one apostille, one document.
The cheaper question is the one to ask first
Before you order, ask each receiving office in writing:
- Do you need the original, or is a certified copy acceptable?
- Will you return the document, or keep it?
- Is there a maximum age for the document?
- Do you require a translation?
If both offices keep originals, plan for two sets from the start. Ordering a second set later means repeating the process, including a new certified copy if the first was the only one you had.
A practical approach
Get the requirements from both sides, then decide how many apostilled copies you need. It is usually simpler to order the extra copy now than to rebuild the document chain later. Our list of questions for the receiving party is a good start.
Not sure what each country will need? Send us your documents through our free document review and we will tell you what can be apostilled and how, before you pay any government fee.