Planning to join your spouse or children abroad on a dependent visa? If your destination country is part of the Hague Apostille Convention, apostilling your Indian documents is not optional—it is a legal requirement.
An apostille is an internationally recognized authentication issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India, confirming that your documents are genuine and legally valid for use overseas.
This updated guide explains who needs apostille, which documents are required, country-specific rules, the complete step-by-step process, and common mistakes to avoid, ensuring your dependent visa application proceeds without delays.
Learn more about what apostille attestation means in India.
Apostille is mandatory when Indian civil documents are submitted to immigration authorities in Hague Convention countries. Without it, documents such as marriage or birth certificates are usually rejected, even if notarized.
You need apostille if you are applying for:
Spouse / Family Reunion Visa
→ Apostille of Marriage Certificate
Child Dependent Visa
→ Apostille of Birth Certificate
Dependent Visa with Background Checks
→ Apostille of Police Clearance Certificate (PCC), if requested
Most embassies will not accept Indian documents without apostille.
Apostille requirements vary depending on the destination country.
Netherlands
Marriage Certificate
Birth Certificate
PCC (if requested)
See apostille requirements for Netherlands
France
Marriage Certificate
Birth Certificate
Certified translation into French often required
Check France apostille & attestation rules
USA & Canada
Apostille required in specific legal or immigration cases instead of embassy attestation
Understand apostille vs embassy attestation
Always confirm requirements with the destination country’s embassy or immigration authority.
You will generally need:
Original Marriage Certificate (for spouse)
Original Birth Certificate (for children)
Police Clearance Certificate (PCC), if applicable
Passport copy of the applicant
Passport and visa or residence permit copy of the sponsor (if available)
Important:
All documents must be original, clear, unlaminated, and correctly issued.
See the complete list of documents eligible for apostille in India.
Before apostille, ensure that:
Names match passport records
Certificates are readable and undamaged
Documents meet destination country format requirements
Some documents must be verified at the state level before MEA apostille:
Marriage & Birth Certificates → Home Department or SDM Attestation
PCC → Issuing authority verification
Incorrect state verification is one of the most common causes of apostille rejection.
Once verified, documents are submitted to MEA through authorized centres.
Apostille is issued as a computer-generated sticker
Valid across all Hague Convention countries
Processing time depends on document type and prior verification
Read how MEA apostille works in India.
If your documents are in a regional language:
Certified translation into English or the destination language may be required
Some countries require the translated document to be apostilled as well
Use professional certified translation services to avoid rejection.
After apostille, submit documents:
Along with the dependent visa application
At embassy or VFS appointments
Directly to overseas immigration authorities, if applicable
Avoid these frequent mistakes:
Name mismatch between passport and certificate
Old, damaged, or laminated documents
Missing state-level verification
Incorrect document format
Submitting photocopies instead of originals
For child dependent visas:
Birth Certificate apostille is mandatory
Some countries request a No Objection Certificate (NOC) if one parent is not travelling
Older children may require a PCC, depending on country rules
If your marriage took place abroad:
The marriage certificate must be apostilled in the country of issuance, or
Registered with the Indian Embassy or Consulate abroad
Learn about foreign marriage certificate attestation.
In rare cases, notarized or locally attested documents may be accepted. However, most Hague Convention countries strictly require apostille, and skipping this step often leads to visa rejection or delays.
No. Apostille must be completed only in India.
Indian embassies abroad do not issue apostilles.
Understand where apostille can be done in India.
Dependent visa apostille is a critical legal step for family reunification abroad. Since requirements differ by country and document type, careful verification and correct processing are essential.
PEC Attestation provides end-to-end support:
State-level verification
MEA apostille
Certified translations
Country-specific compliance guidance
For detailed information on document eligibility, country-wise rules, and MEA procedures, read the full guide:
https://pecattestation.com/blog/dependent-visa-apostille-india
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