What is a document apostille?
An apostille is a certificate that confirms an Indian public document is genuine, so it can be used in another country without further checks. It comes from the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961, which 130 countries and territories have now joined.
In India, apostilles are issued only by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The MEA does not check your document from scratch. It relies on an earlier verification by the right authority, such as the state Home Department, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, the education department or a Chamber of Commerce. That first stage is where most delays happen, and it is the part we handle for you.
Which documents can be apostilled
Public documents fall into three groups, and each group follows a different route to the MEA.
Personal documents
Educational documents
Business documents
The route for each document
The usual stages before the final MEA apostille. The exact route can change with the destination, so we confirm yours from a photo first.
| Document | First step | Verification | Final |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birth, marriage, death and divorce certificates | Notary | Home Department (Maharashtra) or SDM | MEA apostille |
| Police clearance certificate | Notary | Home Department or SDM | MEA apostille |
| Single status affidavit | Notarised affidavit | Home Department or SDM | MEA apostille |
| Degree, diploma, marksheets | Notary or university verification | Home Department, SDM or HRD | MEA apostille |
| Company documents and invoices | None | Chamber of Commerce | MEA apostille |
| Power of attorney (individual) | Notary | Home Department | MEA apostille |
Documents from Maharashtra and from other states
Where your document was issued matters. Personal and many educational documents issued in Maharashtra are usually attested by the Home Department at Mantralaya. Documents issued in other states typically go through the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) instead. Educational documents that need HRD attestation are first verified by the issuing university.
We handle documents from anywhere in India, not only Mumbai. If you live in Mumbai but your degree is from another state, we choose the right route for you. Clients in Thane, Navi Mumbai and other cities use the same apostille services near Mumbai, with pickup or a tracked courier. See the apostille process, stage by stage.
What you need to send
- The original document
- A copy of your passport
- Your visa copy, if you already have one
- An authorisation letter (we send you the format)
- Any supporting document the authority asks for, which we tell you about upfront
How long a document apostille takes
Most documents are ready in as little as 5 working days after we collect them. Educational documents that need university verification and HRD attestation take longer because the university sets its own timeline, and public holidays can add a day or two.
We give you a realistic date before you pay, and update you at each stage on WhatsApp. For the route, checklist and cost of a specific document, see our certificate apostille services in Mumbai.
Apostille or embassy attestation?
If your destination is in the Apostille Convention, the MEA apostille is all you need. If it is not, such as the UAE, Qatar or Kuwait, your document needs MEA attestation and then attestation by that country’s embassy.
Checks the official HCCH list of Apostille Convention countries (updated 30 June 2026) and the exceptions that apply to India.
Document apostille questions
An apostille is one certificate from the MEA, accepted by every Apostille Convention country. Embassy attestation is for countries outside the convention: the MEA attests the document and then the destination country’s embassy legalises it.
Yes. Authorities verify the original, and the apostille is fixed to it. Some company documents can be apostilled as certified copies; we confirm this before collection.
Yes. We offer free doorstep pickup and delivery across Mumbai, and you can start by sending a photo on WhatsApp.
No. It works in the parties to the Apostille Convention (130, including India), with a few exceptions: Germany does not accept Indian apostilles, and India has objected to China and Kosovo. For non-member countries such as the UAE, embassy attestation is needed instead.
No. Each document receives its own apostille with its own number. A degree and three marksheets means four apostilles.
