Apostille in India: The complete guide
What Is an Apostille?
An apostille is a form of document authentication recognized among countries that are parties to the 1961 Hague Convention. It certifies the authenticity of public documents, such as birth certificates, educational degrees, and legal papers, making them valid for use in other member countries without the need for further legalization.
📜 Understanding the Apostille Certificate
An apostille certificate is typically a square-shaped sticker affixed to the back of the original document. It includes:
Country: The name of the country issuing the apostille.
Authority: The name of the authority issuing the apostille.
Reference Number: A unique identification number.
Seal or Stamp: The official seal or stamp of the issuing authority.
Signature: Signature of the official issuing the apostille.
Date of Issue: The date when the apostille was issued.
Convention Text: The standardized wording “Apostille (Convention de La Haye du 5 octobre 1961)”.
Signatory’s Title: The official title of the person who signed the apostille.
When Is an Apostille Required?
An apostille is typically required when:
Studying Abroad: Educational documents like degrees and transcripts need to be apostilled.
Employment Overseas: Employment contracts or experience certificates may require apostille.
Marriage in a Foreign Country: Marriage certificates need to be apostilled for recognition abroad.
Business Expansion: Commercial documents like Power of Attorney or company registration certificates require apostille
Tips for a Smooth Apostille Process
Countries Accepting Apostille
As of 2025, over 120 countries are members of the Hague Apostille Convention, including:
Europe: France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom.
Americas: United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina.
Asia: India, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Israel.
Africa: South Africa, Morocco, Botswana.
Oceania: Australia, New Zealand.
Countries list with map
Dominican Republic
Turkey
Samoa
Barbados
Sweden
New Zealand
Kyrgyzstan
Bolivia
Romania
Paraguay
Switzerland
Singapore
Nicaragua
Cook Islands
Philippines
Guatemala
Finland
Italy
Russian
Saint Lucia
Norway
Luxembourg
Namibia
South Africa
Cape Verde
Tunisia
Vanuatu
Antigua and Barbuda
North Macedonia
Portugal
Jamaica
Lesotho
Greece
Brunei
Denmark
Netherlands
Saint Vincent
Liechtenstein
San Marino
Germany
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Belize
United Kingdom
South Korea
Niue
China
Ireland
Australia
Lithuania
Brazil
Argentina
Bahrain
Hong Kong
Kosovo
Belarus
Latvia
Peru
Israel
Saudi Arabia
Burundi
Malawi
Slovakia
Cyprus
Chile
Estonia
Montenegro
Croatia
Morocco
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Albania
Czech Republic
Palau
Liberia
Colombia
Mauritius
Macau
Andorra
Mongolia
Panama
Oman
Honduras
Iceland
Bahamas
Venezuela
Suriname
Armenia
Tonga
Japan
Kazakhstan
Poland
USA
Spain
Botswana
India
Moldova, Republic of
Mexico
Seychelles
Azerbaijan
Uruguay
Serbia
Ukraine
Costa Rica
Guyana
Trinidad and Tobago
Monaco
Ecuador
Dominica
El Salvador
Belgium
Sao Tome and Principe
Austria
Malta
Marshall Islands
Fiji
Grenada
Slovenia
Tajikistan
Uzbekistan
Georgia
Hungary
Bulgaria
France
Apostille Process in India
In India, the apostille process is managed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The steps involved are:
Document Verification:
Notary Attestation: Initial verification by a notary public.
State Authentication:
Personal Documents: Attested by the State Home Department or Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM).
Educational Documents: Verified by the State Education Department or Human Resource Department (HRD).
Commercial Documents: Authenticated by the respective Chamber of Commerce.
MEA Apostille:
After state authentication, documents are submitted to the MEA for the apostille sticker.
The MEA does not accept documents directly from individuals; submissions must be made through authorized outsourcing agencies.
Collection:
Once processed, the apostilled documents are returned to the applicant via the outsourcing agency.
Why Choose Us
🕒 Speedy Processing: Timelines tailored to meet urgent international requirements.
🚚 Doorstep Collection & Delivery: No visits required—we come to you.
📍 Service Across India: Available in all states and major cities.
📞 24/7 Assistance: Continuous customer support throughout your application journey.
Processing Time
The time required for apostille services in India varies based on the type of document and the state of issuance:
Personal Documents: Approximately 3 to 5 working days.
Educational Documents: Around 7 to 10 working days, especially if HRD attestation is needed.
Commercial Documents: Typically 5 to 7 working days.
Delays may occur due to public holidays, high application volumes, or incomplete documentation.
Types of Documents Eligible for Apostille
1. Personal Documents:
Divorce Decree
2. Educational Documents:
Diplomas
Mark Sheets
School Leaving Certificates
Transfer Certificates
Transcripts
3. Commercial Documents:
Certificate of Incorporation
Memorandum of Association
Articles of Association
Board Resolutions
Invoices
Export Documents
Authorized Apostille Service Providers
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has authorized several outsourcing agencies to handle apostille services, and InfinityGro is proud to be one of the trusted names in this space. With service centers across major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru, InfinityGro simplifies the apostille process by professionally managing the collection, processing, and delivery of your documents. Since the MEA does not accept direct submissions, applicants are required to go through authorized providers—InfinityGro ensures a smooth, secure, and hassle-free experience from start to finish.
