How to Apply for MEA Apostille in India: Two Ways Explained
The Ministry of External Affairs does not take apostille applications at a public counter of its own, and it will not apostille a document that has not been authenticated first. That surprises many first-time applicants. This guide explains how to apply for MEA apostille in practice, what the MEA needs before it acts, and the two ways to get it done.
Quick answer: applying for the apostille
How to apply for MEA apostille: first get the document authenticated by the authority the MEA recognises, then submit it to the MEA through one of its outsourced collection centres. The MEA acts on the signatures of designated State or Union Territory authorities and Chambers of Commerce, so personal and educational documents go through a notary and the SDM, and commercial ones through a Chamber of Commerce. The MEA charges Rs 50 per apostille sticker.
You can do each stage yourself in Delhi, or send the document to an agency that does them for you. INFINITYGRO handles personal and educational documents for Rs 1,000–1,500 per document all-inclusive, usually in 2–3 working days; commercial documents are quoted in writing.
What the MEA needs before it will apostille
| Personal documents (birth, marriage, PCC, affidavits) | Notary, then SDM or the state’s designated authority |
|---|---|
| Educational documents (degrees, diplomas, marksheets) | Notary, then SDM or the state’s designated authority |
| Commercial documents (invoices, company papers) | Chamber of Commerce, with a notary first where needed |
According to the MEA, it legalises documents on the basis of signatures of designated authorities of the states and union territories or of Chambers of Commerce. It does not legalise photocopies.
Apply yourself, or apply through an agency
Doing it yourself
- Visit a notary and the SDM office in person
- Then submit at an MEA outsourced collection centre
- Pay the MEA fee and the centre’s own charges
- Return to collect the document
Through INFINITYGRO
- Send a photo; get route, time and total in writing
- Courier the document, or drop it at our Delhi office
- We handle notary, SDM and MEA stages
- Document returns by Blue Dart or similar courier
Doing it yourself is entirely possible if you are in Delhi and have time for several visits. Most people outside Delhi find courier simpler.
How to apply for MEA apostille through INFINITYGRO
- 1WhatsApp a photoSend a clear photo and the destination country. We confirm whether an apostille or attestation is needed.
- 2Send the originalCourier it with a passport copy, or bring it to our New Ashok Nagar office.
- 3AuthenticationNotary and SDM for personal and educational papers; Chamber of Commerce for commercial ones.
- 4MEA apostilleWe submit through the MEA’s outsourced centre; the sticker carries a unique number.
- 5ReturnBy Blue Dart or another secure courier, or collect from our office.
All document types, countries and fees are on our MEA apostille services hub.
Documents to include with your application
- The original document, unlaminated and in good condition
- A copy of your passport, to match names
- The name of the destination country
- For commercial documents, an authorisation letter on letterhead and the signatory’s ID
- Any checklist from the receiving office abroad
When you should not apply for an apostille
The apostille works only in Hague Convention countries. For the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt and other non-members, and for China, apply for MEA attestation followed by embassy legalisation instead. Check the HCCH status table if unsure.
MEA apostille: fees and time
| MEA apostille, personal or educational document | Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 per document, all-inclusive: notary, SDM attestation, the Rs 50 MEA fee and our service |
|---|---|
| Usual time | 2–3 working days in Delhi after the document reaches us |
| Courier | Extra, both ways |
| Translation | Quoted by language and page |
These are for personal and educational documents. Commercial documents are quoted in writing; for non-Hague countries the embassy fee is extra.
Online apostille (e-Sanad / QR apostille) in 2–3 days
INFINITYGRO also offers the online apostille, the e-Sanad apostille service, whose sticker carries a QR code. Done through us, it is usually ready in 2–3 working days.
What we need from you:
- The document to be apostilled
- A copy of your passport: the passport number is entered online
- The country where you will use the document
FAQs: How to Apply for MEA Apostille in India: Two Ways Explained
How to apply for MEA apostille as an individual?
Get the document authenticated first, by a notary and the SDM for personal and educational papers. Then submit it at one of the MEA’s outsourced collection centres with a photocopy and your passport copy. Or courier it to an agency that handles all stages.
Can I submit my document directly at the MEA office?
Apostille applications are received through the MEA’s outsourced collection centres, not over a counter at the ministry itself. The MEA’s apostille page lists the agencies that run these centres and the service charges they collect.
Can I apply for MEA apostille online?
Yes. INFINITYGRO also offers the online apostille (e-Sanad / QR apostille service), usually ready in 2–3 working days; for it we need the document and a copy of your passport, because the passport number is entered online. The regular MEA apostille on the physical document also takes 2–3 working days in Delhi after the notary and SDM stages.
What is the MEA fee for an apostille?
The MEA charges Rs 50 per apostille sticker. With INFINITYGRO, that fee is already included in the all-inclusive price of Rs 1,000–1,500 per personal or educational document, along with the notary, the SDM and our service.
Will the MEA apostille a photocopy?
No. The MEA says it does not legalise photocopies. A notarised true copy of a personal document is a different thing: it carries a notary’s signature that the SDM and then the MEA can authenticate. We advise which form your document needs.
Do I need an agent to apply?
No law requires one. An agent saves visits to the notary, the SDM office and the MEA centre, which matters most if you live outside Delhi. You decide whether that is worth it for you.
How long does the MEA apostille take?
With INFINITYGRO, usually 2–3 working days in Delhi for personal and educational documents once the original reaches us, plus courier time both ways if you are outside Delhi. Commercial documents have their time stated in the written quote.
How can someone check that my apostille is genuine?
Each apostille sticker carries a unique number, and the receiving office can check it with the issuing authority. If a foreign office raises a doubt about an apostille we arranged, send us the details and we help you respond.
Official sources
Apply for your MEA apostille with one photo
WhatsApp a photo of your document and the country it is for. We confirm the route, time and total in writing before you send anything.
Office: C – 5 A/2 New Ashok Nagar, Delhi – 110096 · Monday to Saturday, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM · office drop-off or courier, no home pickup
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Disclaimer: INFINITYGRO is a private document facilitation service, not a government office or embassy. Apostilles and attestations are issued only by the Ministry of External Affairs and the embassies concerned; we do not issue, correct or verify certificates. Rules and fees can change, so check the requirements of the authority that will receive your document.
Last reviewed: October 2026