The apostille is a standardized form of legalization which is used and recognized by over 100 countries. Nevertheless …
… public authorities often ask not only for the translation of the document but also for the translation of the apostille attached.
The apostille facilitates the usage of documents on the internaional scene.
The apostille is issued directly by the competent authority of the source country. Generally, the legalization by the Embassy of the target country is no longer needed. The apostille has a uniform structure, and consecutive numbering facilitates understanding: from 1. COUNTRY to 10. SIGNATURE.
Why is the translation of the apostille still reasonable?
The apostille is usually issued in the language of the source country. It’s therefore only through the translation that the name of the issuing authority and the function of the issuing officer become clear.
The list of the member states of the Apostille Convention can be found, for example, on the website of the Hague Conference on Private International Law.