What an MEA apostille is
The MEA apostille is a printed certificate fixed to the back of your original document. It confirms that the signature and seal already on the document, or on its verification, are genuine. It says nothing about the content of the document. A foreign office still decides for itself what your degree or birth certificate means for its own rules.
Every apostille carries the same ten numbered fields, so an officer in Rome or Riyadh can read an Indian apostille without knowing Hindi or English legal terms. The main ones are:
- Country: always India for documents we handle.
- Signed by and acting in the capacity of: the official whose signature the apostille confirms, and that person's post.
- Certified at, date and by: where and when the MEA issued it.
- Number, seal and signature: the unique apostille number and the MEA officer's stamp and signature.
Newer MEA apostilles also carry a QR code. Scanning it lets the receiving office check the apostille against the MEA's own record. Some destinations now insist on this version. Saudi Arabia, for example, accepts only the QR-code apostille, so an older sticker without a code will be refused there. Our Hague Convention guide explains each field in more detail.
Documents we apostille
Almost any Indian public document can be apostilled once the right Indian authority has verified it first. Our files fall into three groups.
Education documents
Degrees, diplomas, provisional certificates, marksheets, transcripts, and Class 10 and 12 certificates. These are the most common requests, mostly from students and job seekers. See the degree certificate page for country-wise routes.
Personal documents
Birth, marriage and death certificates, affidavits, single status declarations, divorce decrees and similar papers. Families use these for spouse visas, residence permits and school admissions abroad.
Police clearance certificates
We apostille a PCC that you already hold. We do not issue or apply for PCCs. If you still need one, get it from Passport Seva (PSK or POPSK) or from your local police, then send it to us for the apostille. Details are on the PCC apostille page.
Company documents such as invoices, certificates of origin and board resolutions go through the Chamber of Commerce first. See commercial document attestation.
How a document gets ready for the MEA
The MEA only apostilles a document after an Indian authority has verified it. Which verification you need depends on the document type and on the destination country.
Most countries
Notary + SDM → MEA
Works for education and personal documents for most apostille countries. ₹1,500 per document for the full route.
Education, state level
State HRD → MEA
The state higher education department verifies the certificate. Compulsory for Italy, Spain and Portugal, and used for Germany when the checklist asks for it.
Personal, state level
Home Department → MEA
The state Home Department verifies birth, marriage and similar certificates. The only accepted route for personal documents going to Italy, Spain or Portugal.
Already verified? If your document already carries a valid State HRD, Home Department or SDM verification, you only pay for the MEA apostille: ₹1,000 per document.
Prices
| Service | Price per document |
|---|---|
| MEA apostille only (document already verified) | ₹1,000 |
| Notary + SDM + MEA apostille | ₹1,500 |
| State HRD or Home Department route + MEA apostille | On quote |
| Translation into any language | On quote |
We give you a time estimate with the price, before you send anything. Prices are per document, so tell us the full list and we quote the total in one reply.
Apostille guides by document and city
Pick the page closest to your case. Pages marked "next batch" are being written.
Questions about apostille in India
Is an apostille the same as MEA attestation?
No. Both are issued by the MEA, but an apostille is for countries that accept it directly. MEA attestation is a stamp that is followed by the destination country's embassy in India. The country you are going to decides which one you need.
Can a photocopy be apostilled?
The apostille is fixed to the original document. In some cases a notarised copy can be verified and apostilled, but most foreign offices want the apostille on the original. Tell us what your checklist says and we will advise.
Does an apostille expire?
The apostille itself carries no expiry date. Some foreign offices, however, only accept documents issued or apostilled within a recent period, especially for PCCs and birth extracts. Check your checklist for a date limit.
Do I also need a translation?
If the receiving country works in a language other than English, it often asks for a translation. We arrange translation into any language and can tell you whether it should be done before or after the apostille.
I have several documents. Is there one price for all?
Prices are per document. A degree and two marksheets count as three documents. Send us the full list and we will quote the total in one message.