How to get apostille in india
To get an Apostille in India, your document must pass through a mandatory verification chain before the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issues the final Apostille sticker. The standard process involves three steps: 1. Notary Authentication, 2. State-Level Authentication (HRD for educational, Home Department/SDM for personal documents), and 3. MEA Apostille. Because the MEA does not accept direct applications from individuals, you must submit your documents through an authorized agency or trusted professional service like IY Enterprise.
What is an Apostille and Why Do You Need It?
An Apostille is a square sticker stamped on the back of your original document by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India. It acts as an international certification of authenticity.
If you are traveling for a job, higher education, or business to any of the 120+ member countries of the Hague Apostille Convention (such as South Korea, Germany, the USA, the UK, or Italy), you do not need embassy attestation. An MEA Apostille is completely sufficient.
The 3 Categories of Documents for Apostille
The steps for how to get apostille in India depend entirely on the type of certificate you hold:
Educational Documents:
Degrees, Diplomas, Mark Sheets (10th/12th), and Transfer Certificates.
Personal Documents:
Birth Certificates, Marriage Certificates, Police Clearance Certificates (PCC), and Medical Certificates.
Commercial Documents:
Power of Attorney, Certificate of Incorporation, and Export Invoices.
Step-by-Step Process: How to Get Apostille in India
Step 1: Local Notary Attestation
Before any state or central government department touches your document, it must be verified by a local notary public. The notary will check the basic authenticity of the document and apply a stamp and signature.
Step 2: State-Level Authentication
This is the most crucial and time-consuming step. The document must be authenticated by the issuing state’s designated authority:
For Educational Documents: State Human Resource Development (HRD) Department authentication is required.
For Personal Documents: State Home Department (GAD) authentication is required.
The SDM Alternative: If State Home Department verification is taking too long, personal documents can alternatively be verified by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) in New Delhi, which is much faster and fully accepted by the MEA.
For Commercial Documents: Verification by the Chamber of Commerce.
Step 3: Final MEA Apostille
Once the state or SDM authentication is complete, the original document is submitted to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The MEA verifies the state-level stamps and affixes the final, verifiable Apostille sticker on the reverse side of the document.
Can You Do It Yourself?
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) strictly does not accept direct applications from individuals at its CPV Division in New Delhi. Documents must be routed through outsourced agencies. Furthermore, traveling to different state departments (HRD/Home) across cities is expensive and exhausting. A single missing signature can delay your visa by weeks.
Get Fast, Secure Apostille Services with IY Enterprise
At IY Enterprise, we handle the complex bureaucracy so you don’t have to. We provide end-to-end document apostille services, from local notary to final MEA stamping. We guarantee 100% genuine Apostilles with real-time tracking and secure doorstep delivery anywhere in India.
Need expert assistance to get your documents Apostilled?
Call us today: +91 9702412433
Visit: iyenterprise.com
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many days does it take to get an Apostille in India?
If you choose the SDM route for personal documents, the MEA Apostille can be completed in just 3 to 5 working days. However, if State HRD authentication is mandatory (for educational documents), the process can take anywhere from 15 to 25 working days, depending on the issuing state.
Is an original document required for Apostille?
Yes. The MEA Apostille sticker is always pasted on the back of the original document. Photocopies cannot be apostilled. You must also submit a clear photocopy of the document and a copy of the passport of the document holder.
Does South Korea accept SDM Apostille?
Yes. For most personal documents (like birth and marriage certificates), South Korea and many other Hague Convention countries readily accept an MEA Apostille backed by SDM (Sub-Divisional Magistrate) verification, saving you the time of State Home Department authentication.
How can I verify if my MEA Apostille is genuine?
Every genuine MEA Apostille sticker comes with a unique tracking number and a QR code. You can scan the QR code or verify the document online through the official e-Sanad portal to ensure its authenticity.
