Documents Required for Marriage Certificate Apostille: A Checklist
You already have your marriage certificate and a spouse visa, residence permit or overseas registration needs it apostilled. The paperwork for the apostille is short, much shorter than for registering the marriage. This checklist lists exactly what to send, what to check on the certificate first, and the papers people send that are not needed at all.
Quick answer: what to send
Documents required for marriage certificate apostille are few: the original marriage certificate issued by the registrar, a copy of the passport of each spouse, and the name of the country and office that will receive it. That is enough for the notary, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stages in Delhi.
Photos of the wedding, invitation cards, witness IDs and affidavits were needed when the marriage was registered, not for the apostille. Leave them out. INFINITYGRO starts only from a certificate you already hold; we do not register marriages or correct certificates. The apostille costs Rs 1,000–1,500 per certificate all-inclusive and usually takes 2–3 working days in Delhi.
Which marriage certificate to send
The foreign office almost always wants the certificate issued by the marriage registrar. That is the document the Indian authentication chain is built around.
Usually accepted
- Registrar’s certificate under the Hindu Marriage Act
- Certificate under the Special Marriage Act
- A certified copy issued by the registrar’s office
Check with us first
- Certificates from a temple, church, gurdwara or Arya Samaj
- A nikahnama on its own
- A certificate printed from a state online portal
- Very old or handwritten certificates
Documents required for marriage certificate apostille, item by item
| Original marriage certificate | Signed and sealed by the registrar, not laminated |
|---|---|
| Passport copy of the husband | Photo page and address page |
| Passport copy of the wife | Photo page and address page |
| Destination country and office | So we choose apostille or attestation correctly |
| Translation requirement | Only if the receiving office works in another language |
| Return address and phone number | For the return courier |
Either spouse can send the file. If a relative sends it on your behalf, add a short signed note naming them so we know who to deal with.
Papers you do not need to send
People often post their whole registration file. It adds weight and risk without helping the apostille.
- Wedding photographs and invitation cards
- Witness IDs and witness affidavits
- Age proof such as school certificates or birth certificates
- The registration application form
- Aadhaar originals of either spouse
If a foreign office has asked for any of these as separate apostilled documents, that is a different request; tell us and we quote each one.
Four things to check on the certificate
Names against passports
Spellings should match. A difference can be questioned abroad, and only the registrar can correct the certificate.
Surname after marriage
If the wife’s passport shows a new surname and the certificate shows the earlier one, the foreign office may ask for proof linking them.
Signature and seal
The registrar’s signature and office seal must be clear and complete.
Condition
No lamination, tears or writing over the text. A damaged certificate may be refused by the notary or SDM.
Apostille or attestation for your country
Hague Convention countries such as the UK, Germany, Italy, Canada and Australia accept the MEA apostille. Gulf countries such as the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait need MEA attestation and embassy legalisation instead, with the embassy fee extra. The full service page for marriage certificate apostille covers both routes.
Marriage certificate 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 |
For the UAE, Qatar or Kuwait the MEA stage costs the same and the embassy fee is extra; it is confirmed in your written quote.
FAQs: Documents Required for Marriage Certificate Apostille: A Checklist
What are the documents required for marriage certificate apostille?
The original registrar-issued marriage certificate, a passport copy of each spouse and the name of the destination country. Nothing else is normally needed. A translation is added only if the receiving office asks for one.
Do both spouses need to be present?
No. Neither spouse needs to visit any office. The certificate can be couriered to us or dropped at our New Ashok Nagar office by either spouse or by a relative with a short signed note.
Can you help me register my marriage?
No. INFINITYGRO does not register marriages, issue certificates or correct them. We start once you hold the registrar’s certificate. Registration is handled by the marriage registrar in the area where you married or live.
Is Aadhaar needed for the apostille?
Not usually. Passport copies of both spouses are what we ask for, because the foreign office will compare names with passports. If neither spouse has a passport yet, tell us and we will advise what to send instead.
Can a nikahnama or church certificate be apostilled?
Sometimes, but many foreign offices ask for the registrar’s certificate instead. Send a photo of what you hold and the name of the country. We tell you whether it is likely to be accepted before you spend anything on courier.
Should I send the certificate laminated?
No. A laminated certificate is usually refused, because the paper and the registrar’s seal cannot be properly examined. If yours is laminated, ask the registrar’s office for a certified copy and send that copy instead.
Do I need photocopies of the marriage certificate?
Not from you. We prepare whatever copies the notary and the outsourced MEA collection centre need. Do keep your own scan of the certificate before posting it, in case you need to refer to it while it is with us.
How much does it cost and how long does it take?
Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 per certificate, all-inclusive of notary, SDM attestation, the Rs 50 MEA fee and our service. It usually takes 2–3 working days in Delhi, plus courier time if you are outside Delhi.
Official sources
Send a photo of your marriage certificate first
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