What is Legalization of Documents?
Legalization is the process by which documents issued in one country become legal for use in another country. This legalizing procedure verifies the authenticity and originality of documents with an established procedure.
What is the Meaning of Document Legalization?
The process of legalization of documents verifies the authenticity of documents so that it can be used across various countries as a valid legal document. The legalization process involves multiple steps of verification and authentication to ensure the authenticity of documents.
A legalized document verifies that,
- The document was issued by an authorized person.
- The document bears an authentic signature, seal or stamp.
- The format of the document is correct.
- The identity of the person who issued the document is verified.
When a document is legalized, an official seal or stamp is placed on the document by higher authorities such as the Ministry of External Affairs.
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
What are the Benefits of Legalizing a Document?
Legalizing a certificate or document offers various benefits:
- International recognition: Legalization process makes your documents valid in a foreign country for the purposes like education, business and immigration.
- Increases credibility: Legalized documents verify the authenticity of the certificate issued authority and the document itself. Thus, the process of legalization certifies that your certificate is genuine and not fraudulent.
- Simplify procedures: in some cases, the legalization of documents simplify the procedures for educational and immigration purposes.
When do you Need to Legalize a Document?
A document legalization process is required when you plan to use a certificate in a foreign country. Here are some of the common scenarios where legalized documents are required.
- Visa Applications.
- Citizenship Applications.
- Residency Permits
- Studying in Foreign Universities.
- Applying for Scholarships.
- Establishing a Foreign Company.
- Conducting International business or trade.
- Opening Bank Accounts in Foreign Countries.
- Engaging in international Legal Contracts.
- Medical Treatment in other countries.
- Adoption from a foreign country.
How to Legalize a Document?
The process of legalizing a document may vary according to the countries involved and the documents.Generally, there are two different pathways to legalize a document in India.
- Document Legalization for Use in Hague Apostille Convention Countries
India is a Hague Apostille Country. Hence, apostille is the legalization process used in India. Therefore, Indians travelling to any other apostille nation need to obtain an apostille attestation or apostille stamp from the MEA.
Fill out the Apostille Application Form to legalize your document through the MEA apostille.
Learn more about Apostille Stamp
- Legalization of Documents for Use in Non-Hague Countries/Countries which are not part of Hague Nations
Embassy attestation is the process followed to validate documents for use in Non-Hague countries. Hence, Indians traveling to non-Hague Nations need to follow the embassy attestation process.
List of Documents that Need Legalization
Given below are the documents that require legalization to verify its authenticity:
- Birth Certificate Apostille
- Marriage certificate Apostille
- Death certificate Apostille
- Apostille Degree Certificate
- Divorce Decree Certificate
- Driving License Apostille
- Passport Apostille
- Police Clearance Certificate Apostille
- Single Status Certificate Apostille
- Power of Attorney Apostille
- Medical Certificate Apostille
- Board Resolution Apostille
- Transcript Apostille
- Vaccination Certificate Apostille
- Adoption Deed Apostille
How Do You Legalize a Document in India?
In India the Ministry of External Affairs has the authority to seal an apostille stamp on the documents. The apostille stamp placed on the certificates makes it a legalized document which can be used in any Hague Apostille Nation.
There are two ways to get an apostille on your document in India. They are:
- State Authentication followed by MEA apostille
- SDM Authentication followed by MEA apostille
State Authentication of Certificates
Since education comes under state list in India, most of the educational certificates and some other documents such as police clearance certificates come under the purview of the state government.
Degree certificates such as graduation certificate, SSLC, and transcript needs attestation from state human resource department attestation. Similarly, birth certificates, marriage certificates and death certificates require attestation from the state home department.
The secretary of the district, from where the document was issued, authenticates the document. In the state authentication method the verification and authentication process goes through various government departments. Hence, it takes around thirty days to receive an apostille stamp on the document.
SDM Authentication of Documents
This process of legalizing of documents involves the authentication by Sub Divisional Magistrate. The process begins with notarization by a public notary. Subsequently, the SDM will verify and authenticate the document. The final step involves the verification by the Ministry of External affairs. Since this court process involves less administrative and government department involvement, Apostille attestation on the document is received within two to three working days.
How Do I Apply for Document legalization in India?
You can Apply for Document Legalization in India by providing the required details in the form.
Steps Involved:
- Send the documents to the office or visit the office and deposit the documents.
- Pay Online for Apostille
- Receive emails on apostille status
- Receive documents after apostille stamping.
How Much does it Cost to Legalize a Document in India?
The cost of legalizing your document with apostille attestation in India depends on the number and type of documents. You can contact an authorized legalization service provider to learn more about the cost details. Please fill the Apostille Application Form to know the price details.
Register for Online MEA Apostille
Provide applicant details
Frequently asked questions
Legalization of documents is simply a process of making documents legal for foreign countries. Legalization of a public document verifies the authenticity and originality. The legalization process makes this document valid for use in foreign countries.
Since, India is a Hague Nation legalisation of documents in India is by means of apostille attestation. This can be done either through state authentication or through the SDM method.
In the state authentication method, the state government authenticates the document through the secretary of the district where the document was issued. This method takes around 30 working days because of the involvement of multiple government departments.
Another method of authentication is through SDM.This method is faster and apostille attestation will be done within two days. However, an Indian citizen traveling to a Non-hague nation needs to follow the process of embassy attestation.
Fill the Apostille Application Form to legalize your document for a Hague nation.
Legalization and attestation are terms that are often used interchangeably. However, there can be slight differences depending on the context.
According to Merriam Webster Dictionary, Attestation means “ an official verification of something as true or authentic” .It is a broader term which includes notary attestation, embassy attestation, and apostille.
Legalization is a specific term used when a document is apostilled for use in foreign countries.
Apostille and consular legalization are processes of authenticating a public document for use in a foreign country. The difference in the term and process is because of the membership status of countries in the Hague Apostille Convention.
Apostille is required when the following conditions are met:
- The country which issued the document is a Hague Nation.
- The country where the document is going to be used is a Hague Nation.
However, if any one of the countries is a non Hague Nation you need to get a consular or embassy attestation instead of an apostille.