Whats the difference between an apostille and certification, and how do I know which one I need?
Both are forms of authentication and both are given by the same government agencies. The difference lies in whether the country where you will use your documents belongs to the Hague Convention or not. If it does, your documents will receive an apostille, and if not, they will need a certification and may need further notarization from a foreign consulate or embassy. Here is a link to a list of the countries currently listed with the Hague Convention: Hague Convention Status Table (Back to top.