Apostille attestation is an international certification used to authenticate Indian public documents for use in foreign countries. The term apostille originates from French, meaning certification or authentication.
This process is governed by the Hague Convention of 1961, officially titled “Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents.” India has been a Hague Convention member since 1961, allowing apostilled documents to be legally accepted in over 120 member countries worldwide.
Learn more about the official process here:
Apostille Attestation Services in India
Apostille applies to:
Personal documents such as birth, marriage, death certificates, affidavits, power of attorney
Educational documents such as degree certificates, diplomas, mark sheets, and school certificates
An apostille sticker issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India confirms the authenticity of the document for international use.
An apostille sticker includes:
Country of issue (India)
Type of document
Issuing authority
Date of apostille
Unique identification number
Official seal and signature
Apostille is mandatory when Indian documents are submitted in Hague Convention countries. Common use cases include:
Degree certificates
Academic transcripts
Mark sheets
Degree certificates
Experience letters
Birth certificate
Marriage certificate
PCC
MOA & AOA
Partnership deeds
Board resolutions
Power of attorney
Property agreements
Always verify whether the destination country is a Hague Convention member before choosing apostille or embassy attestation.
Birth Certificate
Marriage Certificate
Death Certificate
Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)
Divorce Certificate
Single Status Certificate
Affidavits
Power of Attorney
Medical & Experience Certificates
Degree Certificates
Diploma Certificates
Mark Sheets
Academic Transcripts
10th & 12th Certificates
Transfer & Bonafide Certificates
Provisional Certificates
Professional Qualifications (CA, CS, CMA)
Certificate of Incorporation
Memorandum & Articles of Association
Partnership Deeds
Board Resolutions
GST Registration
Import–Export Licenses
Commercial Invoices
Original document
Passport copy
Passport-size photographs
Completed application form
Authorization letter (if applicable)
Collect original documents
Get notarization from a registered notary
Verify details with the issuing authority
Pre-attestation depends on document type:
Personal documents: SDM or Home Department attestation
Educational documents: HRD / Education Department attestation
Commercial documents: Chamber of Commerce
This stage confirms document authenticity at the state level.
Documents are submitted to MEA through authorized agencies
MEA verifies state authentication
Apostille sticker with QR code is affixed
Self-collection
Courier delivery within India
International shipping for NRIs
Digital delivery via eSanad (where applicable)
Processing timelines depend on:
Document type
State authority involvement
University response time
Destination country
Urgent routes may be faster, while HRD or Home Department verification can take longer.
For timelines and document-wise processing details, visit our Apostille Services page.
eSanad is a Ministry of External Affairs initiative designed to digitize and simplify document authentication.
Online application submission
Digital verification
Real-time tracking
QR code authentication
Secure payments
Doorstep delivery
CBSE certificates (2014 onwards)
Birth and death certificates (partial support)
Selected university documents
USA, UK, Canada, Australia
Germany, France, Italy, Spain
Japan, South Korea, Singapore
UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait
China, Vietnam
Iran, Iraq
Avoid These Errors
Submitting laminated documents
Choosing the wrong pre-attestation authority
Applying apostille for non-Hague countries
Missing original documents
Incomplete applications
Last-minute submissions
Using unauthorized agents
Best Practices
Start at least 2–3 months early
Verify document condition and accuracy
Use only MEA-authorized service providers
Keep multiple copies
Track application status regularly
Apostille attestation in India in 2026 is a streamlined but strictly regulated process. Understanding the correct procedure, document requirements, and country-specific rules is essential to avoid delays or rejections.
Whether you plan to study abroad, work overseas, migrate, or expand your business internationally, apostille attestation is a critical legal step.
For country-wise requirements, timelines, and expert assistance, read the complete Apostille Attestation Guide on PEC Attestation.