Apostille Services in India
What does mean by Apostille?
Apostille is a legal certification that authenticates the origin of a public document, such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or degree certificate. The Apostille certificate is attached to the document to confirm that it is genuine and has been issued by a recognized authority. The Apostille Certificate is recognized internationally under the Hague Convention of 1961, which aims to simplify the legalization process of public documents across borders. It is used to ensure that the public document can be accepted as valid in foreign countries without the need for further authentication or legalization.
What is Apostille in India
In India, Apostille is a certification process that verifies the authenticity of Indian public documents for use in foreign countries that are parties to the Hague Convention of 1961. The Apostille process in India involves the attachment of a certificate to the public document, which confirms the signature, seal or stamp of the issuing authority, and the identity of the signatory.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is the designated authority responsible for Apostille certification in India. The MEA has appointed a number of Regional Authentication Centers (RACs) throughout the country, which are authorized to issue Apostille certificates for public documents. The RACs also verify the authenticity of the public documents before issuing the Apostille certificate.
How do I get an Apostille in India ( Apostille Process )
To get an Apostille in India, you need to follow these steps:
01
Firstly, you need to ensure that the public document that you wish to Apostille is issued by a recognized authority in India. The documents that can be Apostilled include birth certificates, marriage certificates, educational degree diploma certificates, and other legal documents.
02
Next, you need to get the document notarized by a Notary Public or a Gazette Officer. This ensures that the document is certified as a true copy of the original.
03
After notarization, the document needs to be authenticated by the respective state Home Department or General Administration Department (GAD) of the state where the document is issued. This step varies depending on the state where the document is issued.
04
Once the document is authenticated by the state Home Department or GAD, it needs to be submitted to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) for Apostille. The MEA is the only designated authority in India that can issue an Apostille certificate.
05
The Apostille certificate is issued by the MEA after verifying the authenticity of the document. The certificate is affixed to the back of the document or a separate attachment, depending on the document's size.
06
After obtaining the Apostille certificate, the document can be used in any country that recognizes the Apostille process.
It is essential to note that the process of getting an Apostille may vary slightly depending on the type of document and the state where it is issued. Therefore, it is advisable to consult with a professional service provider or a legal expert for specific guidance on the Apostille process.
How much does it cost to Apostille a document
The cost of getting a document Apostilled in India varies depending on various factors such as the type of document, the state where it is issued, and the service provider you choose. The following are some general guidelines on the cost of Apostille in India:
1.Notarization
The cost of notarization in India ranges from around Rs. 50 to Rs. 500, depending on the type of document and the Notary Public's fees.
2.Authentication by the Home Department or GAD
The cost of authentication by the Home Department or GAD varies from state to state. It typically ranges from around Rs. 50 to Rs. 200 per document.
3.Courier charges
You may also need to pay courier charges to send the documents to the relevant authorities and receive them back.
4.Apostille by the Ministry of External Affairs:
The cost of Apostille by the Ministry of External Affairs in India is Rs. 50 per document. However, if you choose to use a professional service provider, they may charge an additional service fee, which can vary depending on the type of document and the level of service required.
Overall, the total cost of getting a document Apostilled in India can range from a few hundred rupees to a few thousand rupees, depending on the factors mentioned above. It is advisable to check the specific fees and charges with the relevant authorities or a professional service provider before starting the Apostille process.
How much time does it take for Apostille?
The time it takes to Apostille a document in India can vary depending on various factors, such as the type of document, the state where it is issued, and the mode of submission. Here is an approximate timeline for the Apostille process in India:
Notarization
The time required for the notarization of the document depends on the Notary Public or Gazette Officer's availability and can take a few hours to a day.
State authentication
The time required for state authentication varies depending on the state where the document is issued and can take a few days to a week.
MEA Apostille
The MEA generally processes the Apostille request within 2 to 3 working days from the date of submission. If you opt for the Tatkal service, the MEA processes the request on the same day or the next working day.
Courier delivery
If you choose to receive the Apostilled document via courier, the delivery time may vary depending on the courier company's service and your location.
What documents can be apostille
Generally, the following documents can be Apostilled in India:
- Educational certificates, such as school leaving certificates, diplomas, degrees, mark sheets, etc.
- Non-educational certificates, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, etc.
- Commercial documents, such as articles of incorporation, board resolutions, certificates of origin, Invoice, GMP, Free Sale Certificate etc.
What are the documents needed for Apostille?
The documents required for Apostille in India may vary depending on the type of document and the state where it is issued. However, the general documents required for Apostille are:
Documents
- Original document: The original document that needs to be Apostilled is required.
- Notarized copy: A notarized copy of the original document is required to be submitted for Apostille.
- Application form: The Apostille application form needs to be filled and signed by the applicant. The form can be downloaded from the MEA website or obtained from the MEA office.
- Identity proof: A copy of the applicant's identity proof, such as a passport or Aadhaar card, needs to be submitted.
Why do we need an apostille?
Here are some reasons why an Apostille may be needed:
An Apostille is required on certain documents when they need to be used in a foreign country. An Apostille is a type of authentication or certification that is accepted by all countries that are members of the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents.
Educational documents
If you are planning to study abroad, you may need to provide your educational documents, such as degree certificates or transcripts, with an Apostille to the foreign educational institution or the embassy.
Employment documents
If you are planning to work in a foreign country, you may need to provide your employment-related documents, such as experience certificates or police clearance certificates, with an Apostille to the foreign employer or the embassy.
Personal documents
If you are getting married or planning to immigrate to a foreign country, you may need to provide your personal documents, such as birth certificates or marriage certificates, with an Apostille to the foreign government or embassy.
Business documents
If you are planning to do business in a foreign country, you may need to provide your business-related documents, such as company incorporation certificates or financial statements, with an Apostille to the foreign government or embassy.
Which agency for apostille in India
In India, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is the designated authority responsible for the Apostille of documents. The MEA has regional offices located in various cities across India, and you can submit your documents for Apostille at the respective MEA office based on your location.
Apart from the MEA, some authorized outsourced service providers are also authorized to provide Apostille services in India. These service providers are authorized by the MEA to accept and process documents on its behalf and provide Apostille services.
Therefore, if you are looking for an agency for Apostille in India, you can either submit your documents directly to the MEA office or contact the EAS to help you with the process. It is advisable to consult with our executive for specific requirements, procedures, and fees before submitting your documents for Apostille.