What is apostille?
An apostille is a sticker issued by the ministry of foreign affairs. It serves as evidence that the document is authentic. When traveling to another country, you may be required to obtain an apostille as the government of the destination country wants assurance that the documents you provide are genuine and not counterfeit.
What is the process for Birth Certificate Apostille in India ?
Obtaining an Apostille for your Birth Certificate is Mandatory if you plan to relocate overseas. The Birth Certificate, being the initial document provided by the government, records your birth at the hospital and is subsequently issued by the municipal corporation.
In the previous versions of birth certificates, the individual’s name would not be included since it was customary to name the baby one month after birth. Therefore, if you have an older birth certificate, you will need to have it reissued with a name. Birth certificates without a name can still be processed, but the Apostille will have a blank space for the name. If you have a birth certificate issued in India and want to use it in a foreign country, you must obtain an apostille for it.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is the sole authority responsible for issuing Apostille. There are essentially two types of Apostille: State attestation and SDM attestation. Opting for the appropriate type will result in time and cost savings. A valid Apostille will ensure that your travel plans are not obstructed by embassy rejection.
What is the Difference Between Apostille and Attestation ?
Attestation is a broad term under which all normal processes of attestation would include such as Notary Attestation, Apostille Attestation, Embassy Attestation. This Depends on the purpose of the attestation you will be required to do from the mentioned attestation listed above.
Notary Attestation: This is required for the use of Indian documents within the country.
Apostille Attestation: This is required from MEA is necessary when you are using Indian documents Abroad particularly in Hague Convention member countries.
Embassy Attestation: This is essential for using Indian documents in Countries that are not part of the Hague Convention.
Do I Need an Apostille for My Birth Certificate?
Not every country requires an apostille. Check if your distinction country is on the Hague Convention country list: https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/authorities1/?cid=41
When will you require MEA attestation for your birth certificate?
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is the sole authority responsible for issuing Apostille. There are essentially two types of Apostille: State attestation and SDM attestation. Opting for the appropriate type will result in time and cost savings. A valid Apostille will ensure that your travel plans are not obstructed by embassy rejection.
- When traveling on a work visa.
- When traveling on a dependent visa (spouse or partner).
- When enrolling your children in a foreign school (schools require their birth certificates for admission).
- When applying for a student visa (universities and consulates need it to verify your age).
- When changing or transferring jobs.
- When applying for a permanent resident visa.
- When altering your visa status in a foreign country
What is the Process for birth certificate attestation?
1.State Authentication and MEA Apostille:
- Recommended for documents destined for Hague Convention countries, except for specific exceptions like Austria and Italy.
- Involves initial authentication by the State Home Department or designated authorities.
- Processing time typically ranges from 3 to 4 weeks.
2. SDM Authentication and MEA Apostille:
- Applicable for documents destined for Hague Convention countries, if State authentication is not mandatory.
- Requires authentication by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) in your district.
- Processing time may be shorter than State authentication, often around 10-15 days.
What is the Validity of the Apostille stamp ?
MEA Apostilles, whether through State or SDM Attestation, are valid for six months. While some countries may accept older Apostilles, it’s advisable to consult with an Apostille service provider for accurate information.
What is the Processing Time and Requirements for Birth Certificate Apostille?
The standard processing time for embassy and birth certificate attestation is three to four days, but it can vary based on circumstances. Original documents are required for Apostille, along with passport photocopies, Aadhar card, driving license, and passport-size photographs.
What are the Charges for Birth Certificate Apostille?
Charges for birth certificate attestation vary by state, and the cost depends on the document type and service provider. It’s recommended to consult a genuine Apostille service provider for accurate cost information.
What types of documents require an apostille in India?
Not all documents require an apostille. It depends on two main factors:
1. The destination country:
Hague Convention countries: If your destination country is one of the 101 member countries of the Hague Convention, an apostille is generally not required for most personal and educational documents. These documents already have a simplified authentication process through the apostille system. You can check the list of Hague Convention countries here: https://www.hcch.net/en/states/hcch-members
Non-Hague Convention countries: For countries not part of the Hague Convention, you might need different forms of legalization, which could involve embassy or consulate authentication instead of an apostille. Contact the respective embassy or consulate of your destination country for specific requirements.
2. The type of document:
Personal documents: Most commonly apostilled personal documents include:
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Death certificates
- Divorce decrees
- Power of attorney
- Affidavits
- Educational documents: Documents related to education that often require apostilles:
- School transcripts
- University degrees
- Diplomas
- Certificates of completion
Commercial documents: Certain commercial documents might need apostilles for business purposes, such as:
- Invoices
- Contracts
- Certificates of origin
- Company registration documents
GloboPrime Attestation Services specialize in apostille attestation. We ensure your documents are attested quickly and accurately for use in Hague Convention countries.
We handle all aspects of apostille attestation, including:
- Preparing your documents
- Submitting your documents to the appropriate authorities
- Tracking the attestation process
- Collecting your attested documents
Ready for your smooth overseas journey? Contact us today for birth certificate apostille services in Chennai !
The countries listed below are not part of the Apostille Convention, necessitating the certification of any document requested by these nations. It is important that specific countries on this list might demand additional legalization through a Consulate or Embassy office.
- Afghanistan
- Algeria
- Angola
- Bangladesh
- Benin
- Burkina Faso
- Burma (Myanmar)
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Canada
- Chile
- China
- Congo Republic
- Congo Democratic
- Ivory Coast
- Cuba
- Egypt
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Haiti
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Iraq
- Jamaica
- Jordan
- Kenya
- Kuwait
- Laos
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Macedonia
- Madagascar
- Malaysia
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Nepal
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Palestine
- Philippines
- Qatar
- Rwanda
- Saudi Arabia
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Singapore
- Sri Lanka
- Sudan
- Syria
- Taiwan
- Tanzania
- Togo
- Thailand
- Turkmenistan
- UAE (United Arab Emirates)
- Uganda
- Vietnam
- Yemen
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe