What is the suggested process for issuing and using e-Apostilles?
The process is as follows: • The Competent Authority applies for a digital certificate from a Certificate Authority. The Certificate Authority screens and verifies the identification of the Competent Authority and issues a digital certificate for the Competent Authority that includes such information as name, business address, e-mail address, etc. (this process of applying for and obtaining a digital certificate need only be done once, although the certificate must be renewed on what is typically an annual basis). • The Competent Authority digitally signs the e-Apostille, to which an electronic version of the underlying document is attached so that the two documents form one single PDF file. The single PDF file (i.e., the e-apostillised document) is then sent to the requesting party. • The requesting party (or in some cases the Competent Authority itself) sends the e-apostillised document to the relevant person or authority in the receiving State. • Using Adobe 7.0 or greater (Reader,
