Legalization of Documents- Understanding the Apostille in India
Document legalization is a compulsory procedure if you are planning for a long term stay in a foreign country. It could be for business purpose, higher education, temporary, or permanent residency. Certificate Apostille and document apostille in India refers to the validation of certificates and documents.
What Exactly is Apostille?
An apostille is a kind of formality of verifying the authenticity plus credibility of documents. You get an apostille stamp or sticker from the authority when you apostille a document. Applied to the back of a document, it is a computer-based unique identification number. It not only maintains a record online but also provides convenience to check the authenticity of the record. Moreover, once you get an apostille sticker from the Ministry of External Affairs, there is no requirement for an additional certificate from the embassy.
The Procedure of Apostille in India
The central government of India has decentralized the apostille procedure. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) carries out the document apostille. The process starts at the local notary from where the document is allocated and follows the process of state authentication. The last step is the MEA apostille sticker.
Notary Attestation
It is the first step in the authentication of several documents. The completion is at the regional level from a lawyer or collector’s office.
Home Department Attestation
It is a state-level organization responsible for the certification of the documents issued under the same state government.
HRD Attestation
It is a state department that exclusively certifies the educational documents. Certificate verification is the mandatory step to complete from the board or university where the allocation of the document occurs.
SDM Attestation
When HRD attestation or home department attestation is not preferable, then this attestation is recommendable.
MEA Attestation
MEA manages all the foreign affairs and provides the apostille stamp or sticker according to requirement. Furthermore, it is the last step of the apostille legalization when both the local and destination country are members of the Hague Convention.
When it comes to different types of documents, the procedure generally differentiates as:
Personal Document Apostille
The legalization of documents that involve personal data refers to the personal document apostille procedure. It includes a marriage certificate, medical certificate, migration certificate, passport, police clearance certificate, and an experience certificate apostille. The apostille process consists of three major steps- notary attestation, SDM or home department attestation, and also an apostille sticker from MEA.
Commercial Document Apostille in India
Commercial documents support business capital owned by any business owner or entrepreneur. It includes documents like partnership deeds, property papers, authority letter, insurance certificate, certificate of association, invoice bills, and more. Furthermore, the apostille process for commercial documents includes a chamber of commerce attestation and an apostille sticker from MEA.
Educational Certificate Apostille
The documents that deal with academic performances and other accomplished courses refer to educational documents. It includes a degree certificate, transfer certificate, mark sheet, school leaving certificate, transfer certificate, and more. The procedure for the educational certificate apostilles varies according to the type of educational document.
Where Can I Get Support for Secretarial Services in India?
Get the perfect assistance for acquiring an apostille sticker or stamp from the central government of India effortlessly. Contact Us at 3E Accounting and get the best Apostille Services in India. With our experienced team of professionals, you can save your valuable time as well as money.
3E Accounting India
3E Accounting India is a corporate service provider and accounting firm assisting clients with company formation and incorporation. We offer company secretary and business-related services in India.