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Birth Certificate Apostille in Kochi

Apostille your birth certificate in Kochi whether it is issued in Kochi or anywhere else in India; digital or hard copy.


  • UPDATED A MONTH AGO

If you are based in Kochi and planning to travel abroad for employment, higher education, or business purposes, obtaining a Birth Certificate Apostille in Kochi is a crucial requirement. A birth certificate issued in Kochi or anywhere else in India is not legally valid in Hague Convention countries unless it is apostilled. In this article, we will provide a complete and easy-to-understand guide on how to get your birth certificate apostilled in Kochi, including the process, requirements, and benefits.

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

What is Apostille?

An apostille is an official authentication certificate affixed to the back side of an original document, allowing it to be legally recognized in Hague Convention countries. These countries are members of the Hague Apostille Convention, established on 5 October 1961 to simplify the process of document legalization between participating nations.

India became a signatory to the Hague Apostille Convention in 2005. As a result, any Indian citizen traveling to a Hague member country must submit apostilled documents for them to be legally accepted. Without an apostille, Indian documents are not considered valid for international use. In India, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is the sole authority authorized to issue apostilles on official documents.

How to Get A Birth Certificate in Kochi?

A birth certificate is a vital identity and age-proof document in India. It is required for various purposes, including school admissions, passport applications, government services, and overseas travel.

In India, the Department of Health & Family Welfare of each state is responsible for the registration of births and the issuance of birth certificates. This responsibility is carried out at the local level by municipal corporations, municipalities, and panchayats on behalf of the state government.

If a child is born in a hospital in Kochi, the hospital authorities will report the birth to the concerned local body. Parents can obtain the birth certificate by submitting the birth declaration form provided by the hospital to the respective municipal office.

If your original birth certificate is lost or damaged, you can apply for a duplicate birth certificate by visiting the local body where your birth was registered.

If you were born in Kochi, you can apply through the Kochi Municipal Corporation by visiting their office or using their official online services.

For assistance with obtaining a birth certificate in Kochi, you may contact:

Kochi Municipal Corporation – Birth & Death Registration Department
Address: Kochi Municipal Corporation Office, Park Avenue, Ernakulam, Kerala – 682011

If you were born in any other part of India, you can apply for your birth certificate through the respective municipal corporation or local authority’s official website where your birth was registered.

Why Do You Need an Apostille for a Birth Certificate in Kochi?

You can get a birth certificate apostille in Kochi for birth certificates issued in Kolkata as well as anywhere else in India. An apostille for birth certificate in Kolkata is required for the following reasons: 

  • Student visa applications
  • Work permits
  • Family reunification visas
  • Marriage registration abroad
  • Obtaining residency or citizenship

Birth Certificate Apostille Process in Kochi

Though MEA India is located in Delhi, residents of Kochi can easily get their birth certificate apostille with the help of Secure Apostille Services. 

In India, there are two methods of authentication one can choose to obtain an apostille. They are: 

  1. State Attestation Method
  2. SDM Attestation Method

An apostille obtained on your birth certificate after SDM attestation and SDM attestation are equally valid. However, some countries may ask specifically for the state attestation. Except in such cases, it is always better to follow SDM attestation. Because it is a cheaper and faster authentication method for obtaining an apostille. 

Steps in Getting a Birth Certificate Apostille in Kochi

Given below are the steps SAS follows to get an apostille on birth certificate: 

  1. Notarization

Firstly, your birth certificate is submitted to a public notary who can verify the authenticity of it. The notary attest the birth certificate after verification.

        2. SDM/State Attestation

This is the step where there is a major difference in the authentication method. 

If you want to follow the SDM method, we will submit your birth certificate to a sub divisional magistrate. The SDM will conduct a verification and attest your documents with a sign and seal. 

If you are following the State attestation method, you can submit your documents to the state home department. The department will verify your birth certificate details with the authority of the local body from where your birth certificate was issued. After confirming details with the local authorities, the state home department will attest your birth certificate. 

       3. MEA Apostille

Finally, SAS will submit your birth certificate to the MEA in Delhi. The ministry will make a final round of verification from their end. After verification, they will stamp the apostille certificate on the backside of the birth certificate. 

Documents Required to Apply for a Birth Certificate Apostille in Kochi

In order to get an apostille on your birth certificate, you need to submit following documents to Secure Apostille Services in Kochi: 

  • Original birth certificate. If it is an online document,  a soft copy is enough. We will take a printout and process it for apostille. Similarly, if your birth certificate is handwritten you need to apply for re issuance of the birth certificate
  • A photocopy of the passport front and back page is required as supporting documents.
  • You need to fill an online document submission form as a proof of document submission to SAS.

Apostille for Digital Birth Certificates

Nowadays, most of the local bodies from various states in India are issuing digital birth certificates. These digital birth certificates can be apostilled only if it is verifiable with a QR code or official digital signature. Confirm the acceptability of your digital birth certificate for apostille with Secure Apostille Services. 

Time Required for Birth Certificate Apostille in Kochi

The time required for a birth certificate varies depending on various factors. 

  • If you are using a normal service, you will get an apostille birth certificate within 7 to 8 working days. 
  • If you are choosing a basic service,it may take up to 14 days. 
  • If you are choosing premium services, you will get a birth certificate apostille in Kolkata within 3 to 4 working days. 
  • If you want to get an attestation from the state home department, the time will be more. It will depend on the state where the birth certificate was issued.

Whether you are traveling to a Hague Convention country for higher education, employment, or permanent residency, a birth certificate is a mandatory personal document that must be submitted. A birth certificate issued in India alone is not legally valid for international use. To make it acceptable in another Hague member country, you must obtain an apostille stamp on the reverse side of the document.

To ensure a smooth and hassle-free process, it is advisable to seek assistance from a professional apostille service provider in Kochi, such as Secure Apostille Services, who can help you obtain your birth certificate apostille in Kochi quickly, securely, and without complications.

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Frequently asked questions

  • The cost of getting an apostille for the birth certificate in Kochi may vary depending on:
  • The type of authentication method you want to choose
  • The service you choose (normal, basic, or premium)
  • The state of issuance of birth certificate, if following state attestation method

No. If you are submitting your birth certificate in a Hague country, you need to get an apostille on it. However, if you are submitting your birth certificate in a non Hague country, you need an embassy or consulate attestation.

SAS follows below given steps to get UAE embassy attestation for birth certificates in Kochi: 

  1. Notarization
  2. SDM/State Attestation
  3. MEA Attestation
  4. UAE Embassy Attestation(from UAE embassy located in India)

No. MEA India issues an apostille on documents in English only. Thus, you need to translate your birth certificate from Malayalam to English before submitting it for apostille.Â