Planning to move from India to the Netherlands in 2026 for work, education, business, or family reasons? One of the most important steps in your relocation is ensuring that your Indian documents are legally recognised by Dutch authorities.
Since both India and the Netherlands are members of the Hague Apostille Convention (1961), the document legalisation process is simpler and faster than many other countries. This guide provides a complete overview of apostille requirements, document types, procedures, translation rules, and digital updates—making it an authoritative resource for international document legalisation.
For use in the Netherlands, Indian documents require an apostille from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India.
Once apostilled, documents are legally valid in the Netherlands without embassy or consular attestation.
✔ Apostille is the final legalisation
✔ Accepted across the Netherlands
✔ Valid in all Hague Convention countries
Birth Certificate
Marriage Certificate
Divorce Decree
Death Certificate
Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)
Single Status Certificate
Degree Certificates
Diplomas
Mark Sheets & Transcripts
School & Board Certificates
Power of Attorney
Certificate of Incorporation
Trade Licenses
Business Agreements
Commercial Invoices
Documents must first be verified by the authority that issued them:
Educational documents: University or HRD / State Education Department verification
Personal documents: Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) or State Home Department
Authentication is completed through:
State Home Department
Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM)
HRD / Education Department (if applicable)
Proper state authentication is mandatory before submission to MEA.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) apostille is applied in the form of a sticker or e-apostille certificate, making the document legally valid for use in the Netherlands.
Original document
Passport copy (for identification)
Authorisation letter (if applying through a representative)
Processing timelines vary based on document type, issuing authority, and verification requirements.
Recommended:
Begin the apostille process 2–3 months before travel to avoid delays in visa or residence permit applications.
Although apostille legalises your document, Dutch authorities generally require translations:
Non-English documents must be translated into Dutch
Translation must be completed by a sworn translator
Translated documents do not require additional apostille
Professional document translation services help ensure acceptance by Dutch authorities.
India continues expanding digital apostille services, offering:
Online submission for select documents
Faster processing
Secure digital verification
Reduced paperwork
Digital apostille improves speed, transparency, and international acceptance.
Educational certificates
Transcripts
Birth certificates
Degree certificates
Police clearance certificates
Employment-related documents
Marriage certificates
Birth certificates of children
Divorce or death certificates (if applicable)
Company registration documents
Powers of Attorney
Trade and compliance records
Legalising documents from India for use in the Netherlands in 2026 is straightforward when handled correctly. Apostille from MEA is the final requirement under the Hague Convention, making your documents legally acceptable in the Netherlands.
For accurate processing, expert guidance, and time savings, PEC Attestation provides end-to-end apostille and document legalisation support.
For a detailed breakdown of document-specific requirements, common challenges, and expert tips, read the complete Netherlands Apostille Guide on PEC Attestation.
https://pecattestation.com/blog/legalisation-of-documents-from-india-for-use-in-the-netherlands