Apostille Services for France
Are you traveling to France for a job, education, marriage, or permanent residence? Then your documents need to be apostilled in India. We provide fast and verified Apostille services for France, including MEA Apostille, French translation, and France Embassy attestation. Whether it’s a degree certificate, birth certificate, marriage certificate, or commercial document, we help you obtain apostille legalization for France in a timely, secure, and legally valid manner.
What Is Apostille for France?
An Apostille for France is an official certificate issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in India that verifies the authenticity of a public document for use in France, a member of the Hague Convention of 1961. It confirms the origin, signature, and capacity of the signatory and is affixed to the reverse side of the document. France recognizes apostilled documents from other member countries, making this process essential for educational, personal, or commercial documents intended for use in France. The Apostille includes a unique identification number (UIN) that French authorities can verify.
Apostille Requirement for France
Apostille is mandatory for Indian-issued documents intended for use in France, as France is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. This means documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, educational degrees, and commercial papers must be apostilled by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in India to be legally recognized in France. Apostille attestation authenticates the document’s origin and makes it valid for official use in France.
You’ll need Apostille attestation for France in the following scenarios:
- Student Visa – For admission into French universities
- Work Visa / Employment – To validate degrees and professional documents
- Dependent Visa / Spouse Visa
- Business Setup or Partnership registration
- Long Stay Visa / Permanent Residence (PR)
- Marriage or Birth Registration in France
- French Citizenship Application
- Medical Treatment Abroad
Apostille Process for France in India
The apostille procedure for France depends on the type of document and the purpose. It typically includes the following steps:
Step 1: Pre-Attestation
- HRD attestation for educational certificates (mandatory for government-recognized institutions)
- SDM attestation or Home Department attestation for personal documents
- Notary attestation where applicable
- Private university certificates can often go via SDM route directly
Step 2: MEA Apostille (Ministry of External Affairs)
- Final legalization by MEA with a unique QR-coded apostille sticker
- Accepted by French authorities, including Campus France, CAF, and Immigration offices
Step 3: French Translation (If Required)
- Translation into French is often mandatory for:
- Student visa documents (CAF, Social Security)
- Work visa applications
- Legal marriage documents
- We provide translation by government-approved French translators only
France requires translation ONLY by certified translators. Unauthorized translations may be rejected.
Documents Eligible for Apostille for France
Educational Documents
- Degree Certificates
- Diploma Certificates
- SSC / HSC / PUC
- Engineering / Nursing Certificates
- Mark sheets (upon request)
Personal Documents
- Birth Certificate
- Marriage Certificate
- Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)
- Divorce Certificate
- Death Certificate
- Affidavits
- Single Status Certificate
Commercial Documents
- Power of Attorney (POA)
- Company Registration Certificate
- Export Invoices / Agreements
- Memorandum of Association (MOA)
- Articles of Association (AOA)
Required Documents for Apostille for France
- Original certificate (Degree, Birth, Marriage, PCC, etc.)
- Passport copy (Front and Back)
- University verification letter (if needed for embassy/educational documents)
- Offer letter / Admission proof / Invitation letter
- 2 passport size photographs (if required)
- French translation (if applicable for visa or legal purposes)
Apostille Requirements by Visa Type for France
Depending on your purpose of travel to France, different documents require apostille attestation and sometimes official French translation. Below is a breakdown by visa category:
Student Visa (Étudiant)
- Degree Certificate (UG/PG)
- Transcripts / Mark Sheets (official academic records)
- Birth Certificate (mandatory for CAF housing assistance & social benefits)
- Certified French Translation of all documents
- Admission Letter or Campus France Approval (for submission proof)
Apostilled educational documents are essential for university enrollment and visa interviews.
Work Visa (Visa de Travail)
- Degree Certificate (based on job profile)
- Experience Letter / Employment Certificate
- Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)
- Birth Certificate (some employers require for background checks)
- French Translation of all documents
Work permits require proof of qualification, experience, and criminal record status—apostilled and translated.
Dependent Visa (Visa de Long Séjour – Famille)
- Marriage Certificate (for spouse)
- Birth Certificate (for child/dependent)
- Police Clearance Certificate
- French Translations of all personal/legal documents
French authorities demand properly apostilled and translated family documents for family reunification visas.
Business Visa / Company Registration
- Power of Attorney (POA)
- GST Certificate
- Company Registration Documents (MOA, AOA)
- Aadhar / PAN Card (as ID proof if required)
- Certified French Translation (if required by French Registry)
For legal business operations in France, commercial documents must be legalized with MEA apostille.
Marriage with French National / Civil Partnership
- Single Status Certificate (Unmarried Affidavit)
- Birth Certificate
- Police Clearance Certificate
- Divorce Decree / Death Certificate (if previously married)
- French Translation by certified translator
French marriage authorities (mairie) strictly require apostilled and translated personal documents.
Validity of Apostille for France
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India, the validity of an apostille is six (6) months from the date of issuance.
Important Notes
- French immigration, universities, or administrative authorities may refuse expired apostille stamps.
- If your apostilled document is older than 6 months, you are advised to obtain a fresh apostille.
- Always verify with your French consulate, Campus France, or employer regarding the acceptable validity period.
- For time-sensitive processes such as visa interviews, PR applications, or student registration, ensure apostille is recent and valid.
