Apostille and MEA attestation are two distinct processes used to verify documents for international use, particularly in countries that are part of the Hague Convention. Here’s a breakdown of both:

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:

  1. 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.
  2. Where It’s Used:
    • 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.
    • Countries not part of the Hague Convention will require a different form of authentication (usually embassy or consulate attestation).
  3. Documents That Can Be Apostilled:
    • Educational documents (e.g., degree certificates, mark sheets)
    • Personal documents (e.g., birth certificates, marriage certificates)
    • Commercial documents (e.g., contracts, company registration documents)
  4. Apostille Process:
    • Step 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.
    • Step 2: Once verified, it is submitted to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), which is responsible for issuing the Apostille.
    • Step 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.
  5. Apostille Stamp: The Apostille will appear as a square-shaped stamp that usually includes:
    • Name of the issuing country
    • Name of the authority that issued the Apostille
    • Date of issuance
    • The unique serial number of the Apostille
    • Signature of the person who authenticated the document
  6. 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.

MEA Attestation is a process by which the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India verifies the authenticity of documents for use abroad. This process is crucial for individuals or organizations that need to present their documents to foreign authorities or institutions, such as for employment, education, visa, or immigration purposes.

Key Points About MEA Attestation:

  1. Purpose:
    • MEA attestation confirms that a document is genuine and legally acceptable for use in a foreign country.
    • It is necessary for documents that are being used in countries not part of the Hague Convention and therefore do not accept Apostille.
  2. Documents That Can Be Attested:
    • Personal Documents: Birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, etc.
    • Educational Documents: Degrees, diplomas, mark sheets, etc.
    • Commercial Documents: Business contracts, company registration certificates, etc.
  3. The MEA Attestation Process:
    • Step 1: State Government Verification:
      • The process starts with getting the document verified by the state-level authorities in India. This is often done at the Home Department or Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM).
      • Some documents may also require Notary attestation before being submitted to the state authorities.
    • Step 2: MEA Attestation:
      • After the state verification is complete, the document is submitted to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in New Delhi or the regional MEA offices.
      • The MEA verifies the authenticity of the documents and affixes an attestation stamp.
    • Step 3: Embassy/Consulate Attestation (If Needed):
      • If the document is intended for use in a non-Hague Convention country, it might require attestation by the respective embassy or consulate of the country.
  4. Types of MEA Attestation:
    • Home Department Attestation: For documents like birth certificates, marriage certificates, etc., from state authorities.
    • Educational Document Attestation: Verifying academic certificates.
    • Commercial Document Attestation: For business or trade-related documents.
  5. Time and Fees:
    • The time taken for MEA attestation varies depending on the type of document and whether the embassy attestation is required.
    • Fees also vary depending on the document type and the country for which the attestation is required.

Example of the MEA Attestation Process in India:

  1. Notary/State Verification:
    • For a birth certificate or marriage certificate, the document will be notarized and then submitted to the Home Department of the relevant state.
  2. MEA Attestation:
    • After verification from the state authority, the document is sent to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) for authentication.
  3. Embassy Attestation (if needed):
    • If the document is meant for use in a country that is not a part of the Hague Convention, the attested document will need further attestation from the embassy or consulate of that country.

How to Get MEA Attestation:

  1. Prepare Your Documents: Ensure that the original document is in order (if needed, notarized or attested by the state first).
  2. Submit to State Authorities: First, get the document verified by the State Home Department or relevant authorities (like SDM).
  3. Submit to MEA: After state verification, submit your documents to the MEA (either through an agent or directly).
  4. Embassy/Consulate: For non-Hague countries, the attested documents may then need to be verified by the relevant embassy or consulate of the destination country.

Reach us at: –

Email: – support@kalkaassociates.com | Call/WhatsApp: – +91 9717157074