What Is the Certificate Apostille Process in India?
Whether it is a degree, a birth certificate or a company paper, every Indian certificate reaches the apostille the same way: someone the Ministry of External Affairs trusts confirms the signature first, and then the MEA adds its apostille. This guide walks through that process, shows which authentication each kind of certificate needs, and explains when the route changes.
Certificate apostille process in India: quick answer
Certificate apostille process in India has two parts. First the certificate is authenticated by an authority the MEA recognises. The MEA’s attestation notice names the state Home or General Administration Department for personal documents, the Education Department for educational ones, and Chambers of Commerce for commercial ones. Then the MEA fixes an apostille, for a fee of Rs 50, through its outsourced collection agencies.
INFINITYGRO uses the notary and SDM attestation in Delhi for personal and educational certificates and a Chamber of Commerce for business papers. The total for a personal or educational certificate is Rs 1,000–1,500, all-inclusive, usually in 2–3 working days. Commercial papers are quoted in writing.
What an apostille does and where it is accepted
An apostille is a certificate under the Hague Apostille Convention confirming that the signature and seal on a public document are genuine. A country that has joined the convention accepts an apostilled document from another member without a further embassy stamp, unless one of them has objected to the other’s accession. The HCCH status table currently lists 130 contracting parties.
The MEA states that it does not take responsibility for the contents of the documents it legalises, and that it does not legalise photocopies. The apostille is about authenticity, not about whether the certificate meets the foreign office’s rules.
Which authentication each certificate needs
| Educational: degree, diploma, marksheet, school certificate | Notary and SDM attestation in Delhi, then MEA apostille |
|---|---|
| Personal: birth, marriage, death, single status, PCC | Notary and SDM attestation in Delhi, then MEA apostille |
| Affidavits and powers of attorney | Notarised, SDM attestation, then MEA apostille |
| Commercial: invoices, company papers, agreements | Chamber of Commerce, then MEA apostille; quoted in writing |
The certificate apostille process in India, in five steps
- 1Confirm the country and typeCheck that the destination is a Hague party for India, and whether your certificate is personal, educational or commercial.
- 2AuthenticationNotary and SDM for personal and educational certificates; Chamber of Commerce for commercial ones.
- 3Submission to the MEAThe MEA accepts documents through its outsourced agencies, not directly from individuals, with a copy of the applicant’s passport.
- 4Apostille fixedA sticker with a unique number is fixed to the document, and the Rs 50 MEA fee is paid.
- 5ReturnThrough INFINITYGRO, by Blue Dart or another secure courier, or collection from our New Ashok Nagar office.
You can do these steps yourself in Delhi, or send the certificate to us and we handle each one. Our MEA apostille services page covers every document type.
The online (QR) apostille
We also offer the online apostille (e-Sanad / QR apostille service). Done through INFINITYGRO it is usually ready in 2–3 working days; send the document and a copy of your passport, because the passport number is entered online.
The online apostille is used mostly for educational certificates. Ask the receiving office whether it accepts the QR apostille or wants the sticker on the paper; if you are not sure, tell us the country and the purpose and we will suggest the safer option.
Countries where the certificate apostille process does not apply
Apostille accepted
The UK, the USA, Canada, Australia, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Japan, Saudi Arabia and Oman for personal papers, among others.
For Germany, in our experience German offices accept the MEA apostille and do not ask for German Embassy legalisation.
Certificate apostille process in India: 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 |
Commercial certificates go through a Chamber of Commerce and are quoted in writing. For non-Hague countries the MEA attestation costs the same and the embassy fee is extra.
FAQs: What Is the Certificate Apostille Process in India?
What is the first step in the certificate apostille process in India?
Authentication of the certificate by an authority the MEA recognises. For personal and educational certificates we use the notary and SDM attestation in Delhi; for commercial papers, a Chamber of Commerce. Only then can the MEA add the apostille.
What does the MEA charge for an apostille?
The MEA charges Rs 50 per apostille, and its outsourced agencies add their own service charge. Through INFINITYGRO the total for a personal or educational certificate is Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500, covering notary, SDM, the MEA fee and our service.
Can I take my certificate directly to the MEA?
No. The MEA’s notice says it does not accept documents directly from individuals; they go through its outsourced collection agencies after authentication. You can do this yourself or send the certificate to an agency like INFINITYGRO.
Is the online apostille available through you?
Yes. We also offer the online apostille (e-Sanad / QR apostille service). Done through INFINITYGRO it is usually ready in 2 to 3 working days. Send the document and a copy of your passport, because the passport number is entered online.
Does every country accept the apostille?
No. Only Hague Convention parties where the convention applies with India. The UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and other non-parties need MEA attestation and embassy legalisation. China needs embassy legalisation because India objected to its accession.
Can a photocopy of a certificate be apostilled?
The MEA states it does not legalise photocopies. Send the original certificate; it is returned to you with the apostille. If you only hold a copy, send a photo first and we will tell you what options exist for your document.
How long does the whole process take?
For personal and educational certificates, usually 2 to 3 working days in Delhi after the certificate reaches us. Add courier time both ways if you are outside Delhi. Commercial papers and embassy stages are timed in the written quote.
How can the receiving office check the apostille?
Each apostille carries a unique number that the receiving office can verify with the MEA. The apostille confirms the authenticating signature only; whether the certificate meets the foreign office’s requirements is still decided by that office.
Official sources
Start your certificate apostille
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