NEWS / Bangladesh approves proposal to join Apostille Convention

The Foreign Ministry of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh has approved the proposal to join the Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents, also known as the Apostille or Hague Convention.

“Once signed, there won't be a need to verify certificates, documents, and affidavits for those going abroad if they're verified in Bangladesh, saving nearly Tk 500 crore [5,000,000 Bangladeshi Taka, or roughly $42,600] annually,” Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud was quoted by The Daily Sun as stating.

Dr. Mahmud noted that it will take 6 months for the decision to come into force as the 126 current member states of the Apostille Convention need to be duly notified, which involves certain formalities. Bangladesh’s accession to the Convention should eventually be deposited in The Hague.

Bangladesh joins a growing number of countries that have agreed to streamline legalization procedures between one another by accepting documents issued in one member state in a different member state as long as it is accompanied by an Apostille stamp or certificate. Prior to full membership, in order for a US document to be valid in Bangladesh, one would need to authenticate it at the state and federal levels before submitting it to the Bangladeshi embassy or consulate for legalization.

Other recent new members to the Convention include Canada, China, Senegal, and Pakistan. The Convention is set to come into effect in Rwanda and Saint Kitts and Nevis on June 5, 2024. The governments of Iran, Lebanon, Malaysia, and Vietnam have also expressed interest in membership but have yet to formally accede.