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A Complete Guide to Apostille Stamp: What is it and Why Do You Need it

In today’s interconnected world, the need to legalize and authenticate public documents is drastically increasing. Whether you are going abroad to study or for a job, your documents have to go through a verification and authentication process for use in a foreign country.It is in such a scenario that apostille stamping plays a crucial role.

In this article, we will explore in detail what apostille stamping is, why you need it and how to get apostille stamping on your document. 

Apostille stamp

What is an Apostille Stamp?

An apostille is a square shaped sticker stamp affixed on the backside of a document by the Ministry of External affairs. This stamp certifies the authentication of documents so that it can be used in a foreign country which is a Hague Apostille Country. 

In India the Ministry of External affairs provides apostille stamping on the documents required for travelling abroad or to use in abroad. We will discuss the detailed procedure to receive an apostille stamping later in this article.

4 Simple steps to get MEA Apostille on your Documents 

  1. Register on Apostille Portal 
  2. Collect all  Documents you want to Apostille 
  3. Submit the Original / Photocopies of documents
  4. Receive Documents with Apostille Directly to your home
Apply for MEA Apostille

Why Do You Need an Apostille Stamp

An apostille stamp is the legal certification to prove the authenticity of a certification issued in a country for use in another country. Hence, any one travelling abroad needs the apostille stamp affixed on their documents. The following are the usual situations where apostille is required: 

  • Study Abroad
  • Work Abroad
  • Immigration
  • Marrying from Abroad
  • Business Expansion
  • Adoption from Abroad
  • Medical Treatment Abroad

Documents Require Apostille Stamp

Depending on the purpose of your visit abroad the documents require apostille stamping service also varies. Given below is a list of documents that need apostille stamping according to the purpose.

Work Visa Abroad Documents

Dependent Visa Documents 

Student Visa Documents

Expansion of Business in Foreign Countries

Medical Tourism Visa Documents

How to Get an Apostille Stamp on Your Document in India?

In India the Ministry of External Affairs has the authority to place an apostille attestation stamp on a document for use in a foreign country. Other stakeholders involved in the process of apostille stamping are notary, Sub Divisional Magistrate/State. 

In India there are two different types of apostille attestation process. They are:

  • State HRD Authentication followed by the Ministry of External Affairs Apostille Attestation.
  • SDM Authentication followed by the Ministry of External Affairs Apostille Attestation

Some of the documents issued in India are issued by the state government authorities. Hence, they need to undergo the process of state authentication before getting a stamp by the MEA. In the state authentication process the secretary of the District where the document was issued verifies the authenticity of the document at first.

This authentication method involves many government departments. Therefore, it takes around 30 working days to receive the apostille attestation stamp on your document through a state authentication method.

The SDM verification method begins with notarization of documents by a public notary. Subsequently, the SDM verifies the validity and originality of the document. Finally, the MEA places an apostille stamp on the document. This method takes only two to three working days. 

Tips to Speed Up Apostille Service

  • Find a trustworthy Apostille service provider and inquire about the process, cost and time frame in detail.
  • Prepare documents and make sure they are accurate and complete.
  • Use a courier service that provides express delivery and tracking services.

How Much Does it Take to Receive an MEA Apostille Attestation Stamp on Your Document?

The cost of receiving an apostille attestation stamp on y nature and number of documents. You can speak with an authorised and trustworthy Apostille service provider to learn more about the pricing. 

Apostille Stamping and Attestation Difference

Apostille stamping and attestation are methods to authenticate documents for use abroad. 

Apostille is used for Hague Apostille Nations and attestation is used for non-Hague nations. 

Since 2005 India has been a member of the Hague convention. Therefore, Indians traveling to other Hague Nations for the purpose of study or job need to attest their documents through apostille stamping method.

However, Indians traveling to non-Hague nations need to follow the embassy attestation process. 

Though both apostille stamping and embassy attestation serve the same purpose, the method followed and countries accepted are different.

How do I apply for apostille Stamping?

You can apply here for apostille give all the details in the form.

  • Registering online for apostille
  • Sending the documents for office/visiting our office to deposit the document
  • Online payment for apostille
  • Receiving the tracking number for the documents
  • Check updates online
  • Get emails regarding the apostille status
  • Receive/collect the documents after apostille

Steps involved in Apostille

Register for Online MEA Apostille

Provide applicant details

Frequently asked questions

The Ministry of external affairs has the authority to provide apostille attestation stamps in India.

Apostille Stamp looks like this – Apostille Stamp

An apostille stamp is usually stamped on an original document. However, it is possible to do apostille attestation on notarized copy of the original document.

  • Certificates issued by blacklisted University.
  • Documents issued by unauthorized persons.
  • Personal letters.