An apostille is a form of authentication issued to documents for use in countries that participate in the Hague Apostille Convention of 1961. It certifies the authenticity of the signature on the document, the capacity in which the person signing the document acted, and the identity of any stamp or seal attached to the document. For vital records such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, and death certificates, an apostille ensures that these documents are recognized as valid in another member country of the Convention. This is essential for various international matters, including but not limited to, overseas employment, education, marriage, and residency applications.