Licence Apostille and Attestation
Chamber of Commerce, MEA apostille and embassy attestation for business licences issued in India: trade licences, drug and manufacturing licences, FSSAI licences, IEC and factory licences.
Licence apostille: quick answer
Licence apostille means getting your licence certified by the Ministry of External Affairs with an apostille sticker, so that Hague Convention countries accept it without any embassy stamp. The route is notarisation where needed, Chamber of Commerce attestation and then the MEA apostille; the MEA’s own fee is ₹50 per document.
Exporting to or doing business in the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait or another country outside the Hague Convention? Then you need Licence attestation instead: Chamber of Commerce, MEA attestation and legalisation by that country’s embassy in New Delhi.
Need Trade licence apostille without travelling to Delhi? Courier the original to our New Delhi office; we manage the chamber, MEA and embassy stages and courier it back. A WhatsApp photo gets you a written quote first.
Why a business licence needs apostille or attestation
Foreign importers, distributors and regulators want proof that an Indian supplier is licensed to make or sell what it exports. That proof is the relevant licence: a drug manufacturing licence, an FSSAI food business licence, the Importer Exporter Code (IEC), a factory licence or a municipal trade licence (also spelt trade license).
Supplier registrations, product approvals and tenders abroad commonly ask for these licences to be legalised. The licence or a certified copy is notarised and attested by a Chamber of Commerce, then apostilled by the MEA or attested by the MEA and the embassy, depending on the country.
Drug licence
Pharmaceutical manufacturing and sale.
FSSAI licence
Food manufacturing and export.
Importer Exporter Code
DGFT registration for exporters.
Trade and factory licences
Local authority and factory permissions.
Licence apostille: step-by-step process
The destination country decides which of these two routes your licence takes.
Apostille for Hague Convention countries
- 1Notary (where needed)Notarisation, if the licence needs it before the chamber.
- 2Chamber of CommerceThe Chamber of Commerce verifies the company signature and seal.
- 3MEA apostilleThe MEA fixes the apostille sticker (₹50 government fee per document).
Hague Convention countries
Full member list: HCCH Apostille Convention status table
Attestation for the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and other non-Hague countries
- 1NotaryThe licence is notarised if needed.
- 2Chamber of CommerceThe chamber authenticates it.
- 3MEA attestationThe MEA attests the document.
- 4Embassy legalisationThe destination country’s embassy legalises it.
Non-Hague countries
Documents required for Licence attestation
- Original licence or a certified copy, signed and stamped by the licence holder
- Product list or annexure attached to the licence, if the foreign party needs it
- Our authorisation letter format, signed on your letterhead
- Copy of the signatory’s ID
- Country of use and purpose, so we pick the right route
Licence apostille charges and time
| MEA apostille (government fee) | ₹50 per document |
|---|---|
| Chamber of Commerce | Chamber’s own fee; depends on the chamber and document |
| INFINITYGRO service | Quoted per document in writing |
| Embassy legalisation | Depends on the country; quoted in writing |
| Courier | Extra, both ways |
Each licence is a separate document for the chamber and the MEA. An export set of invoice, packing list and certificate of origin counts as three. More on our commercial document apostille page.
Tips before sending your licence
- Check the licence validity date; expired licences are rejected abroad.
- For pharma registrations, the drug licence is usually legalised with the GMP certificate and free sale certificate.
- An IEC is printed from the DGFT portal; it should be signed and stamped by the exporter before legalisation.
Official links for licence apostille and attestation
For the official position, check these government and regulator pages; we follow them for every licence file:
FAQs: Licence apostille and attestation
How do I get a licence apostilled by the Ministry of External Affairs?
Commercial documents reach the MEA through a Chamber of Commerce. We get the licence attested by the chamber, then submit it to the MEA for the apostille, and courier it back to you.
What are the charges for Licence apostille?
The MEA charges a government fee of ₹50 per document for an apostille. The Chamber of Commerce charges its own fee, and our service charge depends on the document; we give the total in writing before you send anything. Embassy attestation is quoted per country.
Can a drug license be apostilled for product registration abroad?
Yes. The drug manufacturing licence or a certified copy is notarised, attested by the chamber and then apostilled or attested by the MEA, often together with GMP and free sale certificates.
What documents are required for Licence attestation?
Usually the original licence, a company authorisation letter and a copy of the signatory’s passport or ID. For exporters, the buyer’s country and any instructions from the buyer or bank help us choose the right route.
What is the process for Licence attestation for the UAE, Qatar or Kuwait?
For these non-Hague countries the licence is attested by the Chamber of Commerce, then by the MEA, and finally legalised by the embassy of the destination country. For the UAE, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs adds a final stamp inside the UAE.
Can an IEC certificate be attested for a foreign buyer?
Yes. A printed IEC, signed and stamped by the exporter, follows the same chamber and MEA route.
How long does Licence apostille take?
It depends on the Chamber of Commerce, the MEA and, for attestation, the embassy. We confirm an expected completion date in your written quote and update you on WhatsApp at every stage.
Apostille or attestation: which one does my licence need?
The country decides. Apostille works for Hague members such as Saudi Arabia, Oman, the UK, France and Australia; attestation with embassy legalisation is needed for the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, China and other non-members.
Is an FSSAI licence accepted with an apostille?
Hague countries accept the MEA apostille. Non-Hague countries such as the UAE and Qatar need MEA attestation and embassy legalisation.
Is INFINITYGRO genuine, and does someone from the company need to visit Delhi for the licence?
INFINITYGRO is a document facilitation agency in New Ashok Nagar, Delhi, working with exporters and companies across India. We give a written quote, explain each stamp and return originals by tracked courier, with WhatsApp updates at every stage. Nobody needs to visit; we do not offer pickup, so the licence is couriered to our office or dropped off. Call or WhatsApp +91-8595558517.
Send your licence for apostille or attestation
Message us a picture of the licence and say where it will be used. We confirm apostille or attestation, the documents and a written quote.
Office: C – 5 A/2 New Ashok Nagar, Delhi – 110096 · Monday to Saturday, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Apostille for other commercial documents
Disclaimer: INFINITYGRO is a private document facilitation service, not a government authority. Apostilles are issued only by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, and embassy legalisation is done by the respective embassies. Procedures and fees change from time to time; please confirm current rules with the receiving authority.