Shareholders Agreement Apostille and Attestation
MEA apostille and embassy attestation for shareholders agreements signed in India, for foreign investors, overseas registrations, banks and courts that need to rely on the agreement.
Shareholders agreement apostille: quick answer
In short, Shareholders agreement apostille is the MEA’s apostille on your shareholders agreement, recognised in every Hague Convention country. As the MEA requires for commercial papers, the shareholders agreement is first attested by a Chamber of Commerce, and then the MEA apostilles it (₹50 government fee per document).
Countries such as the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and China are not covered by the apostille for Indian documents, so for them you need Shareholders agreement attestation: MEA attestation after the Chamber of Commerce, followed by embassy legalisation.
Need SHA 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 shareholders agreement needs apostille or attestation
A shareholders agreement (SHA) sets out how the owners of a company deal with each other: share transfers, board seats, voting, exit rights and dispute resolution. When a foreign investor, an overseas company registry or a bank abroad needs to rely on that agreement, for example to register a share transfer, verify ultimate beneficial owners or enforce rights, it asks for a legalised copy.
For signatures made in India, the SHA is notarised, attested by a Chamber of Commerce and then apostilled by the MEA for Hague countries, or attested by the MEA and legalised by the embassy for the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and other non-Hague countries.
Foreign investors
Due diligence and investment closing.
Bank KYC
Beneficial ownership checks abroad.
Share registrations
Registering transfers in overseas entities.
Disputes
Evidence before courts or arbitrators.
Shareholders agreement apostille: step-by-step process
The destination country decides which of these two routes your shareholders agreement takes.
Apostille for Hague Convention countries
- 1Notary (where needed)Where required, a notary attests the shareholders agreement first.
- 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 shareholders agreement 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 Shareholders agreement attestation
- Original shareholders agreement signed by the parties in India (pages initialled), or a copy certified as the parties agree
- Board resolution or authority letters for company signatories
- Authorisation letter on company letterhead (we send the format)
- ID or passport copy of the authorised signatory
- The destination country and the buyer or authority it is for
Shareholders agreement apostille charges and time
| Apostille fee charged by the MEA | ₹50 per document |
|---|---|
| Normal MEA attestation | No government fee |
| Chamber and service charges | Quoted together, in writing, before you send |
| Embassy legalisation | Varies with the embassy |
| Courier and time | Courier extra; expected date given with the quote |
Plan exactly how many legalised copies your buyer or the foreign authority needs, because each copy is charged separately. More on our commercial document apostille page.
Tips before sending your shareholders agreement
- If some shareholders sign abroad, their signatures are legalised in their own countries; plan the signing sequence.
- Keep share numbers and names consistent with the company’s register and the MOA/AOA.
- Ask whether the foreign party needs the whole SHA or only an extract certified by the company.
Official links for shareholders agreement apostille and attestation
These are the official sources behind the process described on this page:
FAQs: Shareholders agreement apostille and attestation
How do I get a shareholders agreement apostilled by the Ministry of External Affairs?
Send us the original shareholders agreement. We arrange Chamber of Commerce attestation in New Delhi and then the MEA apostille, and the stamped document comes back by tracked courier.
What are the charges for Shareholders agreement apostille?
For Shareholders agreement apostille you pay the MEA fee of ₹50 per document, the chamber’s fee and our service charge; courier is extra. If you need embassy legalisation instead, we quote that embassy’s charges as well.
Can a shareholders agreement be apostilled if it was signed by several people?
Yes, for signatures made in India. The notary verifies the signatories before the chamber and MEA stages.
What documents are required for Shareholders agreement attestation?
Usually the original shareholders agreement, 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 Shareholders agreement attestation for the UAE, Qatar or Kuwait?
The UAE, Qatar and Kuwait do not accept the apostille, so the shareholders agreement is attested in stages: the Chamber of Commerce, the MEA and finally the embassy of the country concerned. In the UAE, the foreign ministry adds one more stamp locally.
Is an SHA legalised for opening a company bank account abroad?
Sometimes. Banks checking beneficial ownership may ask for it, together with the company’s constitution documents.
How long does Shareholders agreement apostille take?
It varies with the chamber, the MEA and the embassy if one is involved. We tell you the expected date before you courier the shareholders agreement and message you as each stamp is done.
Apostille or attestation: which one does my shareholders agreement need?
It depends on the country where the shareholders agreement will be used. Hague Convention countries, such as Saudi Arabia, Oman, Germany, Italy, the UK and Australia, accept the MEA apostille. The UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and China need MEA attestation followed by embassy legalisation.
Is a share purchase agreement handled the same way?
Yes. Share purchase and share subscription agreements follow the same route.
Is INFINITYGRO genuine, and does someone from the company need to visit Delhi for the shareholders agreement?
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 shareholders agreement is couriered to our office or dropped off. Call or WhatsApp +91-8595558517.
Send your shareholders agreement for apostille or attestation
Start with a WhatsApp photo of the shareholders agreement and the destination. You will know the route, the paperwork and the cost before posting the original.
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.