The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:
 
     The Registrar of the High Court, as the Competent Authority of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region under the Apostille Convention, starts to issue e-Apostille today (September 1), providing an optional alternative to the existing paper-based process.
 
     With the e-Apostille service, users can submit applications, make payments, and collect apostilled documents electronically without having to come to the Apostille Service Office, hence enjoying the convenience of e-services anytime, anywhere.
 
     "The new e-Apostille service has been developed with reference to the good practices recommended by the Permanent Bureau of the Hague Conference on Private International Law in respect of the Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents," a spokesman for the Judiciary said.
 
     "The implementation of the e-Apostille service will be rolled out in phases. With immediate effect, the e-Apostille service will be available for applications through registered users of notaries public in Hong Kong. At a later stage, it will be extended to cover public documents issued by government officers whose particulars are kept at the Apostille Service Office," the spokesman added.
 
     All Apostilles issued in Hong Kong on or after September 1, 2014, are available for verification through the e-Register service at www.judiciary.hk/en/court_services_facilities/apostille_verification.html.
 
     For more information on the operation of the apostille service in Hong Kong, please visit the dedicated webpage (www.judiciary.hk/en/court_services_facilities/apostille.html) on the Judiciary's website.

Ends/Monday, September 1, 2025
Issued at HKT 11:00

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