A Guide to Transcript Apostille Application Process in India
If you are planning to go abroad for studies or exchange programs, you need to submit your academic transcripts with an apostille to showcase your academic achievements, marks and grades.
Academic transcripts obtained from a University in India need an apostille attestation to verify its authenticity and originality.
What is Apostille?
Apostille is a way to legalize public documents used across countries that are contract parties to the Hague Apostille convention. The convention simplified, unified and fastened the process of using public documents across member countries. Here is a list of Apostille Accepted Countries.
4 Simple steps to get MEA Apostille on your Documents
- Register on Apostille Portal
- Collect all Documents you want to Apostille
- Submit the Original / Photocopies of documents
- Receive Documents with Apostille Directly to your home
Difference Between Apostille and Attestation
Attestation is an umbrella term which includes notary attestation, apostille attestation and embassy attestation. Depending on the purpose, you may need any one of the above mentioned attestation for your documents. Let us discuss each type of attestation in detail:
Notary Attestation : Notary attestation is needed for you to use any Indian public document inside Indian territory.
Apostille Attestation: If you are using any public document issued in India, in a foreign country which is Hague Nation, you need to get apostille attestation from the Ministry of External Affairs.
Embassy Attestation: If you are using any public document issued in India in a country which is not a Hague nation, you need to obtain embassy attestation.
When Do You Need an Apostille for your Transcripts?
You need an apostille for your transcripts when you are traveling to a country that is part of a Hague Apostille Convention for the following purposes:
- Study at a foreign university.
- To work for a foreign company.
- Get a sponsorship or resident visa.
- Get a family dependent visa.
How to Get a Transcript Apostille?
Transcript apostille involves three steps:
- Firstly, submit the original transcripts including all the semester mark sheets.
- Verification of transcripts by the University.
- Transcript Apostille by MEA.
Documents Required for Transcript Apostille
To get a transcript apostille in India, you need to submit the following documents:
- Original transcript Certificate.
- Copy of the applicant’s passport.
- Copy of all the semester or year Marksheet.
- Authorization Letter.
Transcript Apostille- Steps
Apostille for transcripts are required when you travel to a member country of the Hague Convention for the purpose of study or job. There are two different types of apostille in India with different processing time. They are:
- State HRD Authentication followed by MEA apostille which will take around 30 days.
- SDM Authentication followed by MEA Apostille which will take around three to four days.
State Authentication for Transcript
All educational documents issued in India come under the purview of the state government. In the state authentication method of the apostille, the document undergoes state verification at first. The secretary of the district, from where the document was issued, verifies the authenticity on behalf of the state government.
Apostille transcript will be provided by MEA only after completing the verification process by the state. Since the process involves multiple government bodies, it takes around 30 working days to complete the process.
Check out here to learn more about State Attestation/ State HRD Authentication.
SDM Authentication/ Attestation for transcripts
In this method of authentication by Sub Divisional Magistrate, firstly the transcript document is notarized by a public notary. Subsequently, the SDM will certify the transcript for authenticity and originality. Following the SDM seal, the MEA will do the final verification and get the apostille done.
Since there are not many government departments involved, this is a comparatively faster process. Verification is done within two to three working days.
Which is the Best Method for Transcript Apostille
Since, there are different methods for doing apostille for your transcripts, choosing one which matches your destination and time availability is important.
If your destination country is a Hague Nation, SDM authentication is the best option. It takes less time and money compared to state authentication.
But for countries such as Italy, even though they are in the Hague Nation List, require state authentication for student visas. However, for other types of visas SDM is sufficient.
Embassy Attestation
If you are travelling to a country other than Hague Nation, Embassy attestation is needed instead of the apostille attestation. Similar to apostille attestation, embassy attestation also has two pathways; though state authentication and SDM authentication. However, in this process MEA provides only attestation, not the apostille.
Expenses for a Transcript Apostille
The apostille stamping on your transcript document cost is calculated based on the type of documents and the number of documents you want to attest. A trustworthy apostille service provider can let you know more about the charges. Please fill the Apostille Application Form to learn more.
Validity of Transcript Apostille
The apostilles of any documents, received either through SDM or state Ministry, is valid for six months. If your apostille is older than six months, you should apply again to receive a valid apostille. However, some countries accept an apostille older than six months up to one year.
You can enquire more about the validity details with an apostille service provider.
Register for Online MEA Apostille
Provide applicant details
Frequently asked questions
Apostille attestation is the process of verifying the authenticity and originality of a public document issued in a Hague member country. Such apostille attestation done from a country allows the use of certificates internationally.In India the Ministry of External Affairs deals with the apostille attestation.
Students who wish to study abroad need to submit the transcript of the graduation courses or school transcripts for their admission purpose. As a certificate issued by an Indian University, apostille attestation is necessary to verify its authenticity abroad.
The original transcript is issued by the University, whereas the Apostille transcript is issued by MEA after going through the process of verification. Apostilled transcript carries a stamp on it which validates its authenticity and originality.
The validity of any apostille document is six months. However, some countries accept apostille attested documents with validity of up to one year.
When you go abroad immediately after your school, you need to submit a school transcript apostille and school leaving certificate apostille to continue your studies abroad. The apostille attestation on the certificate makes the certificate valid to use abroad.