Legalisation Services in India: The Complete Guide
What Is Legalisation?
Legalisation is the formal process of authenticating Indian documents for official use in foreign countries. This multi-tiered procedure involves validation by designated authorities, including the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and, when necessary, the embassy or consulate of the destination country. Legalisation is essential for individuals and businesses intending to utilize Indian-origin documents abroad for purposes such as education, employment, immigration, or commercial activities.
đź“ś Understanding the Legalisation Certificate
A legalisation certificate is an official endorsement that confirms the authenticity of a document. Affixed to the original document, it typically includes:
Issuing Country: India
Issuing Authority: Ministry of External Affairs or designated state authorities
Reference Number: A unique identification number for tracking
Seal or Stamp: Official seal of the issuing authority
Signature: Authorized signatory’s signature.
Date of Issue: The date when the legalisation was issued
Purpose: Indicates the document’s intended use abroad
This certification ensures that the document is recognized as genuine by foreign authorities.
When Is Legalisation Required?
A legalisation typically required when:
Studying Abroad: Educational certificates must be legalised for university admissions.
Employment Overseas: Professional documents like experience certificates require legalisation.
Immigration: Personal documents such as birth and marriage certificates must be legalised.
Business Expansion: Commercial documents like Power of Attorney or company registration certificates require legalisation.
Tips for a Smooth Legalisation Process
Countries Requiring Legalisation
Countries that are not members of the Hague Apostille Convention typically require document legalisation. These include:
Middle East: United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman
Asia: China, Malaysia, Vietnam
Africa: Algeria, Egypt
Europe: Germany (for certain documents), Italy (for specific purposes)
It’s crucial to verify the specific requirements of the destination country before proceeding.
Legalisation Process in India
The legalisation process in India involves several steps, depending on the type of document and its intended use:
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 Development (HRD).
Commercial Documents: Authenticated by the respective Chamber of Commerce.
MEA Legalisation:
After state authentication, documents are submitted to the MEA for final legalisation.
Embassy Legalisation:
For certain countries, documents may require further legalisation by the respective country’s embassy or consulate in India.
Note: The MEA does not accept documents directly from individuals; submissions must be made through authorized outsourcing agencies.
Why Choose Us
đź•’ Speedy Processing: Timelines tailored to meet urgent international requirements.
🚚 Doorstep Collection & Delivery: No visits required—we come to you.
đź“Ť Service Across India: Available in all states and major cities.
đź“ž 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 Legalisation
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 Legalisation Service Providers
At Infinitygro, we are committed to providing reliable and efficient document legalisation services across India. With service coverage in key cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru, we ensure that your documents are collected, processed, and delivered with the highest level of security and care.
As per the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) guidelines, document submissions for legalisation must be routed through authorized service providers. Direct submissions to the MEA are not accepted. Infinitygro facilitates this entire process, ensuring your documents are handled professionally from start to finish.
