Reasons behind a refusal of your legalisation application

The Apostille is a certification that verifies the authenticity of a document for use in foreign countries that are part of the Hague Convention. While the specific reasons for refusing an Apostille can vary by country, there are several common reasons why a competent authority might refuse to issue an Apostille:

1. Lack of Proper Notarization: The document may not have been properly notarized or authenticated by the competent authority in the issuing country. It's essential that the document has been correctly notarized or authenticated before it can receive an Apostille.

2. The Document is Not Public: Apostilles are typically reserved for public documents, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, court judgments, and certain government-issued licenses. Private documents like personal contracts or internal corporate documents may be refused.

3. The Document Contains Forged or Fraudulent Information: If there is evidence that the document contains false or fraudulent information, the competent authority may refuse to issue an Apostille.

4. The Document is Outdated: If the document is too old or has expired, it may not be eligible for an Apostille.

5. The Document Violates Public Policy: Some documents may violate the public policy of the country in which the Apostille is requested. For example, a document promoting discrimination or hate speech may be refused.

6. Discrepancies or Errors: If there are discrepancies or errors in the document, such as misspelled names or incorrect dates, the Apostille may be refused until these issues are corrected.

7. Incomplete Documentation: The applicant may not have provided all the required supporting documentation or information needed to process the Apostille request.

8. The Document is Not in the Official Language: Some countries may require that documents submitted for Apostille be in the official language(s) of that country or accompanied by certified translations.

9. Outstanding Legal Issues: If there are pending legal disputes or unresolved issues related to the document, the competent authority may refuse to issue an Apostille until those matters are resolved.

It's important to note that the specific rules and regulations governing Apostilles can vary from one country to another, so it's essential to check with the relevant authorities in the country where you are seeking the Apostille to understand their specific requirements and reasons for refusal.