Bangladesh has formally become a party to the "Convention on Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization of Foreign Public Documents" or Apostille Convention - 1961.
As a result, the documents attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the country will not need to be re-attested in other countries and Bangladeshis going abroad will save approximately Tk 500-600 crore every year.
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmood formally handed over the 'Instrument of Accession' on behalf of Bangladesh at a ceremony in the Netherlands on Monday.
At the beginning of the program, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands welcomed Minister Hasan.
The Foreign Minister explained the necessity and immediate benefits of this agreement for millions of citizens of Bangladesh.
Ambassador of Bangladesh to the Netherlands Riaz Hamidullah, among others, was present.
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud is now visiting the Netherlands to attend a number of meetings including a ceremony for handing over documents regarding the Apostille Convention.
The Foreign Minister left Dhaka early Sunday as part of his official visit from July 28-30.
Minister Hasan is likely to visit Brussels on his way to Dhaka, said the official.
On May 20, the Cabinet approved the signing of the Apostille Convention.
This international convention will eliminate the need for further authentication of various certificates, documents, and affidavits of Bangladeshis going abroad if they have been duly authenticated in Bangladesh.
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Now all documents that need to be authenticated for Bangladeshis going abroad, including students, workers, and those travelling to meet family members, will only need to be authenticated in this country.
Not all countries have embassies in Bangladesh. There are embassies of 90 countries in Delhi. To get authentication from there, one needs to obtain an Indian visa.
The Netherlands is a member of the Apostille Convention.
The member countries legalise foreign documents by adding a stamp or sticker called an ‘apostille’. It shows that the signature on the document is genuine.
The Apostille Convention applies to:
• documents from judicial authorities (for example the Public Prosecution Service (OM), a clerk of the court or a bailiff)
• administrative documents, like certificates, diplomas or civil status records
• notarial deeds
• official certificates placed on private documents, like declarations about the existence or official registration of a document on a certain date.