Short answer: an apostille is a certificate — in India, a sticker issued by the Ministry of External Affairs — that makes your document valid in every country that has joined the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention. You need one when a Hague country asks for proof that your Indian document is genuine.
If you’re applying to study, work, marry or settle abroad, you’ll probably hear the word “apostille”. Here’s what it is, how it works in India, and when you actually need one.
What an apostille is
Before the Apostille Convention, documents had to be legalised by a chain of offices and then the foreign embassy. The convention replaced that chain with a single certificate. India joined in 2005. Today over 120 countries accept the apostille.
In India, the apostille is a square, computer-generated sticker the MEA puts on the back of the document, with a unique number that the receiving country can verify.
When do you need one?
- Admission to a university in a Hague country
- Work visa or residence permit
- Marriage registration or family visa abroad
- Business registration or contracts abroad
Documents going abroad?
We handle MEA apostille for 120+ Hague countries (Saudi Arabia, China, Europe, USA) and embassy attestation for the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and more — state, MEA and embassy stages done for you, with pan-India courier pickup.
Which countries accept it?
Saudi Arabia (since December 2022), China (since November 2023), Oman, Bahrain, the Philippines, Japan and most of Europe are apostille countries. The UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Thailand, Egypt and Malaysia are not. Germany is a special case: it objected to India’s accession, so Indian apostilles are not accepted there.
Which documents can be apostilled?
Most public documents: degrees and marksheets, birth and marriage certificates, police clearance certificates, affidavits and powers of attorney, and company documents. Each starts at the right state authority before the MEA.
How long does it take?
Usually 1–2 weeks in total, including the state stage. See our MEA apostille service, or compare it with embassy attestation in apostille vs embassy attestation.
Not sure which attestation your form needs? Send a photo of it on WhatsApp or call +91 93109 70010 — we tell you the exact process before you spend any money.
Frequently asked questions
What is an apostille in simple words?
A single certificate from India’s MEA that makes your document valid in all Hague Apostille Convention countries.
Who issues apostille in India?
The Ministry of External Affairs, through its authorised channels, after state attestation.
Does the UAE accept an apostille?
No. The UAE needs MEA attestation followed by UAE attestation.
Is apostille valid forever?
The apostille itself doesn’t expire, but some authorities want recently issued documents.
SK Document Centre has helped people in Delhi NCR with attestation, affidavits, apostille and embassy legalisation for over a decade. Questions about your documents? WhatsApp us.
