Are you not able to go abroad because of delayed apostille services?
Well, it’s necessary if you are likely to visit the country that is the member country of the Hague Convention, 1961. Typically, it is recognised as an authentication method of documents, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, educational diplomas, or legal papers. With validated proof in foreign countries, passing through the immigration process is like a cakewalk.
The next time you plan to visit any of the member countries of the Hague Convention, do get your documents apostilled. Normal attestation won’t help you to get through this procedure.
Understand What an Apostille Is
Basically, this is a legalisation process that makes your certificates acceptable abroad. The verified documents contain a square sticker and stamp, which prove its authentication from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in India. The number mentioned on the stamp is computer-generated, which helps the target country to recognise verified papers. This is the competent authority aligned to apostille your documents for immigration.
Countries Recognise Apostille Documents
Majorly, there are 126 countries who are the part of this convention, 1961, including Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burundi, Cape Verde, Chile, China (Hong Kong and Macao only), Colombia, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Eswatini, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niue, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Serbia, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, and Venezuela.
For an updated list, you may explore: https://www.hcch.net (because it continues to update).
Identify the Type of Document
So! What type of documents does require this attestation service? Let’s reveal here. Commonly, these are categorised into the following groups:
- Personal Documents: birth certificates, bachelorhood or single status certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, etc.
- Educational Documents: Degree certificates, diplomas, mark sheets & transcript.
- Commercial Documents: Power of attorney, incorporation certificates, invoices, etc.
Steps Involved in Apostille Documents
This legalisation process of documents requires you to be aware of these steps involved in apostille documents:
Step 1. Get Your Document Notarised
The process initiates with notarization. It represents the seal and signature of a local notary public who verifies the originality of your documents.
Step 2. Authenticate the Document
Following notarisation, you need to hire an S2NRI consultant or solicitor who has been in the process of authenticating notarised documents. He guides you about which documents you need to submit. Overall, the checklist of the required documents is suggested as below:
- Personal Documents: You can check above and recognise personal documents to be verified by the State Home Department or General Administration Department.
- Educational Documents: For education proofs, visit the Regional Authentication Centre (RAC) or the Education Department of the state where you live.
- Commercial Documents: For business or commercial papers’ attestation, the Chamber of Commerce is there to authenticate documents.
Step 3. Submit to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)
Now that you have passed through the state-level authentication, ask your consultant to get it apostilled from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). This authority does not entertain direct requests. It has delegated this responsibility to some recognised agencies or authority, such as.
- Branch Secretariat Offices of the MEA
- Outsourced Agencies: S2NRI and other authorised service providers.
Step 4. Pay the Required Fees
This legalisation process involves a cost, which is not fixed. The fee structure varies, depending on the type of documents and the service provider charges. In general, the fee ranges from INR 50 to INR 2000+ for verifying your papers.
Step 5. Collect Your Apostilled Document
As the attestation process is fully executed at the MEA, you can see a square stamp and an Apostille sticker at the back of your certificates or documents. The outsourcing agency delivers it to your correspondence or mentioned address.
Step 6. Verify the Apostille
However, the delivery marks the end of the process. But you must verify whether the authenticated document is real. A verification tool is available online to test it. This step ensures the apostille is valid and recognised internationally.
Once legalised, you become eligible to visit a member of the Hague Convention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How long does it take to attest or apostille a document in India?
Well, you can expect 2 to 7 working days. But it completely depends on the type of your certificate and the agility of the service provider.
Q2. Can I apostille a document without notarisation?
Certainly not; you cannot go ahead with the process without notarisation.
Q3. Is an apostille valid for all countries?
Certainly not; it is valid only in 126 countries that are shared above. For other than these member countries, you may have to go through normal attestation from the respective embassy.
Q4. Can I apostille a document online?
For sure, yes, you have alternatives to reach out to agencies like S2NRI or VFS Global that are there to consult and get it online.
Conclusion
Obtaining an apostille for your document in India is a straightforward process if you follow the correct steps. From notarisation to authentication and final submission to the MEA, each step ensures your document is legally recognised abroad. With the help of authorised agencies and online tools, the process has become more accessible and efficient. So, no matter if you’re moving abroad, pursuing higher education, or conducting international business, an apostille is your key to seamless document validation.
