Since the year 2005, India is a member of the Hague Convention of October 5 1961,  that abolished the requirement of legalization of foreign public documents and implemented a simplified, internationally recognised method of document authentication known as Apostille.

Apostille is an essential procedure for individuals and businesses seeking to use Indian public documents abroad, which is acceptable in all member-countries of the Convention. As India is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, 1961, no further attestation or legalization of a document apostilled by a member country, should be required for using such apostilled document in India. An apostilled document should, therefore, be treated as legalized document for all purposes in India by all concerned, in accordance with the international obligation under the Convention.

An Apostille is an official certificate issued by a designated authority of a country that generallt consists of-

• The apostille seal/stamp of the Ministry of External Affairs with a unique identification number (UIN), certified by the Section Officer, MEA
• The seal/stamp of the Home Department
• Seal/Stamp of the Notary Public

Once a document has been apostilled, it becomes valid and acceptable in all Apostille Convention member countries, without the need for further diplomatic or consular legalization.

Documents often require apostillization for the following purposes:

• For education purposes overseas 
• For employment purposes overseas 
• For Immigration, citizenship and residence applications
• Setting up of business overseas 
• For obtaining Overseas Citizenship of India, and other personal matters such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, affidavits, single-status certificates etc.

Apostille can be obtained for the following documents, including but not limited to:

1. Personal Documents

• Birth certificate
• Marriage certificate
• Divorce decree
• Death certificate
• PCC (Police Clearance Certificate)
• Single status certificate
• Affidavits
• Power of Attorney

2. Educational Documents

• Degrees and diplomas
• Mark sheets
• School leaving certificates
•  matriculation certificate

3. Commercial/Corporate Documents

• Certificate of incorporation
• Memorandum and Articles of Association
• Board resolutions
• Powers of Attorney

Business agreements

In India, only the Ministry of External Affairs is empowered to issue Apostilles, through the MEA Branch Secretariats and the specific outsourced service providers approved by the government.

Step-by-Step Process of Apostillization in India

• Apostillization has turned out to be a swift and uniform method of authentication, valid and accepted directly in all Hague Convention member countries
• It simplifies verification for immigration, study, and employment.
• It is cost and time efficient process.
• Physical presence may not be necessarily required for the process to be concluded.

Apostillization is a vital process for the global acceptance of Indian documents. Understanding the steps, requirements, and legal framework can help individuals and entities streamline international applications, avoid delays, and ensure compliance with foreign regulations. With India’s participation in the Hague Apostille Convention, document authentication has become far more efficient and globally recognized.