Travel, marriage, and property rights for same-sex partners still cross uneven borders. Even today, many countries and some U.S. states question documents that prove a couple’s union, parentage, or medical authority. An apostille changes that. By certifying a marriage certificate, power of attorney, or adoption order, it confirms to every Hague nation that the record is genuine and valid. Simple on paper, this seal often shields families from painful doubt at airports, hospitals, and banks.