An apostille is a document drawn up according to a fixed model. The bilateral Hague Apostille Convention recognizes certain documents, such as the marriage certificate from Malta. Approximately 110 countries have joined the agreement, so that the document is also recognized, for example, in Cape Verde, Trinidad and Tobago or Costa Rica. Notarization is not required. The Apostille is the authentication in the international document traffic. The apostille is also used for adopting children abroad, opening a business abroad or taking a pet abroad. The Hague Convention was drawn up on October 5, 1961. For the EU, the EU 2016/1191 Regulation (“EU Apostille Regulation”) applies to issued public documents since 16.02.2019.