Apostille Attestation

Apostille is a certification process used to authenticate documents for use in foreign countries that are part of the Hague Convention (1961). The Apostille simplifies the process of document legalization, so instead of going through multiple layers of embassy or consulate approvals, a single Apostille is applied to the document.

Key Points About Apostille:

• Purpose: The Apostille is intended for documents that are being used in a foreign country that is part of the Hague Convention. It verifies the authenticity of the document and the signatures on it, making it legally acceptable internationally.

• Where It’s Used:

  1. It is accepted in over 120 countries that are signatories to the Hague Convention. This includes countries like the United States, Canada, the European Union countries, Australia, and many others.

  2. Countries not part of the Hague Convention will require a different form of authentication (usually embassy or consulate attestation).

• Documents That Can Be Apostilled:

  1. Educational documents (e.g., degree certificates, mark sheets)

  2. Personal documents (e.g., birth certificates, marriage certificates)

  3. Commercial documents (e.g., contracts, company registration documents)

• Apostille Process:

  1. The document is verified by the concerned state authority. For instance, in India, it might first go to the state home department or notary public.

  2. Once verified, it is submitted to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), which is responsible for issuing the Apostille.

  3. After the verification, the document will receive the Apostille stamp, which includes details like the country where the document will be used, the document's authenticity, and the signature of the person who has verified the document.

• Apostille Stamp: The Apostille will appear as a square-shaped stamp that usually includes:

  1. Name of the issuing country

  2. Name of the authority that issued the Apostille

  3. Date of issuance

  4. The unique serial number of the Apostille

  5. Signature of the person who authenticated the document

• Validity: An Apostille is a one-time process for each document, and once applied, it is generally valid for use in all countries that accept Apostille certification.

How to Get an Apostille:

• Step 1: Collect your original document.

• Step 2: Depending on the country you're in, submit your document to the appropriate authority (in India, it's the Ministry of External Affairs, but in other countries, it may be a different department or authority).

• Step 3: After document verification, you'll receive the Apostille stamp or certificate.

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