Marriage Certificate Apostille & Attestation Fees in India (2026)
Charges, time and process for apostille or embassy attestation of your marriage certificate, Nikahnama or marriage affidavit, from any state in India.
Quick answer: Marriage certificate apostille costs ₹1,500–₹2,500 with us, depending on the route. The fast route (Notary → SDM New Delhi → MEA apostille) usually takes 2–3 working days; the Home Department route takes 25 days or more. Apostille works in Hague Convention countries such as Italy, Germany, Canada and the UK. For the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait or Egypt you need marriage certificate attestation, which ends with an embassy stamp.
Why your marriage certificate needs an apostille or attestation
Foreign governments cannot check an Indian marriage certificate on their own. The MEA apostille, or the embassy attestation, is the official proof they rely on that your marriage is genuinely registered in India.
Couples usually need it for a spouse or family visa, a dependant residence permit, registering the marriage abroad, adding a spouse to a work permit or insurance, or a name change after marriage. Online and offline marriage certificates, Nikahnama and marriage affidavits can all be processed.
Marriage certificate apostille: key facts at a glance
| Who issues the apostille | Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), New Delhi |
|---|---|
| Our charge | ₹1,500–₹2,500 per certificate, depending on the route |
| Time | 2–3 working days (SDM route) · 25+ days (Home Department route) |
| Documents | Original marriage certificate + passport copies of both husband and wife |
| Apostille accepted in | About 130 Hague Convention countries, e.g. Italy, Germany, Canada, UK, Saudi Arabia |
| Attestation needed for | UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt and other non-Convention countries |
| Certificate types | Online and offline marriage certificates, Nikahnama, marriage affidavits |
| Visit to Delhi needed? | No, doorstep pickup and tracked return courier across India |
Marriage certificate apostille or attestation?
The country where you will use the certificate decides which one you need. Getting this right first saves you time and a second round of fees.
An apostille is a single MEA sticker. Attestation is a longer chain that ends with the destination country's embassy stamp. We handle both, from start to finish.
Apostille
For Hague Convention countries. One MEA sticker, no embassy step.
- Italy, Germany, France, Netherlands, Switzerland
- Canada, USA, UK, Australia
- Denmark, Finland, Norway and the rest of Europe
- Saudi Arabia, Oman, China, Japan
Attestation
For countries outside the Convention. MEA attestation plus the embassy stamp.
- UAE – see UAE fees
- Qatar – see Qatar fees
- Kuwait
- Egypt – see Egypt fees
You can check any country on the official HCCH Apostille Convention status table, or simply ask us.
Marriage certificate apostille and attestation fees
One clear price before you send anything. The route your certificate needs decides the time and the final charge.
| Service | Time | Charge |
|---|---|---|
| Apostille, fast route: Notary → SDM New Delhi → MEA | 2–3 working days | ₹1,500 – ₹2,500 |
| Apostille, Home Department / ADM route → MEA | 25 days or more | Quote on WhatsApp |
| Attestation for UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt | Depends on embassy | Our charge + embassy fee |
Your charge covers the MEA fee, notary and SDM processing, submission, status updates and tracked return courier. The ₹50 MEA apostille fee is set by the Ministry of External Affairs. For attestation, the destination embassy's own fee is added; for example, the Qatar Embassy charges 100 QAR for a personal document.
Marriage certificate apostille process, step by step
Route 1: Fast route through SDM New Delhi (2–3 working days)
- Notary attestationA notary public in New Delhi verifies the marriage certificate.
- SDM authenticationThe Sub-Divisional Magistrate, New Delhi, authenticates the notarised certificate.
- MEA apostilleThe Ministry of External Affairs adds the apostille sticker.
- Back to your doorReturned by tracked courier, usually within 2–3 working days.
Some countries and embassies, for example Italy, Portugal and Austria, may not accept the SDM route. Tell us the destination country first and we will choose the right route.
Route 2: Home Department route (accepted everywhere)
- State Home Department, ADM or SDM authenticationDone by the authority of the state where the marriage was registered.
- MEA apostilleThe Ministry of External Affairs adds the apostille sticker.
- Back to your doorThe Home Department step usually takes 25 days or more, depending on the state.
For the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait or Egypt: attestation
- State authenticationNotary and Home Department or SDM, as above.
- MEA attestationThe Ministry of External Affairs attests the certificate.
- Embassy attestationThe destination country's embassy in New Delhi adds its stamp and charges its fee.
Which marriage certificates can be apostilled?
MEA apostilles public documents, so the certificate should come from a government registrar. Checking this first avoids most delays.
Usually accepted
- Certificates from the Registrar of Marriages under the Hindu Marriage Act or the Special Marriage Act
- Online marriage certificates from a state government portal
- Nikahnama, with the registration details the destination asks for
- Marriage affidavits, where the destination accepts them
Usually a problem
- Temple, religious or society certificates that were never registered with the government registrar
- Certificates where the names differ from the passports
- Laminated, torn or overwritten certificates
- Photocopies, even if self-attested
Common reasons for delay, and how to avoid them
- Name changed after marriage: if the wife's passport shows a new surname, keep both passports and ask us whether a supporting affidavit is needed.
- Wrong route for the country: some embassies want the Home Department route. Confirm the country before you send the certificate.
- Unregistered marriage: register the marriage with the registrar first; an unregistered religious certificate is often refused.
Documents required and tips that save time
What to send
The original marriage certificate (online or offline) and clear passport copies of both husband and wife, first and last page.
Both passports
Unlike most documents, a marriage certificate needs the passport copies of both spouses.
Pick the route first
Ask which route the destination country accepts before starting, so you do not pay twice.
Pair it up
Spouse visas often need birth certificates too. Sending them together saves courier and time.
Marriage certificate apostille in your state or city
Wherever your marriage was registered, you can get the certificate apostilled from home. Pick your state or city for a guide made for you.
We could not find that place on the list, but we still serve it. Message us on WhatsApp.
Not on the list? We cover every district in India by courier.
Marriage certificate apostille anywhere in India →Frequently asked questions about marriage certificate apostille and attestation
What are the marriage certificate apostille fees?
Our charge for marriage certificate apostille is ₹1,500 to ₹2,500 per certificate, depending on the route. The Home Department route is quoted separately because time and state charges vary. For attestation, the destination embassy's fee is added.
How long does marriage certificate apostille take?
The fast route through Notary, SDM New Delhi and MEA usually takes 2 to 3 working days. The Home Department route takes 25 days or more, depending on the state.
Which documents are required for marriage certificate apostille?
The original marriage certificate, online or offline, and clear passport copies of both the husband and the wife, first and last page.
Do I need apostille or attestation for my marriage certificate?
Apostille is for Hague Convention countries such as Italy, Germany, Canada, the UK and Saudi Arabia. Attestation with an embassy stamp is needed for the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt and other countries outside the Convention.
Can a Nikahnama be apostilled?
Yes. A Nikahnama can be apostilled or attested, provided it carries the registration details that the destination country asks for.
Can a temple or Arya Samaj marriage certificate be apostilled?
Usually you first need the marriage registered with the government Registrar of Marriages. A certificate that was never registered with the registrar is often refused at the state or MEA stage.
Does every country accept the SDM route?
Most do, but some countries and embassies, for example Italy, Portugal and Austria, may ask for the Home Department route. Tell us the destination country first so we choose the right route.
My wife's surname changed after marriage. Is that a problem?
It can cause questions if the names on the certificate and passports differ. Send both passport copies and ask us; in some cases a supporting affidavit helps.
Do we need to visit Delhi?
No. You can courier the marriage certificate from anywhere in India. We complete the process in Delhi and return it by tracked courier.
Can you also apostille our birth certificates?
Yes. Spouse and family visas often need birth certificates too, and sending them together with the marriage certificate saves time and courier charges.
Related guides
Birth certificate apostilleOften needed together with the marriage certificate for spouse and family visas.Read the guide →