Procedure: All original documents requiring attestation or Apostille should be first authenticated by the designated agencies in the State from where the document has been issued. In case of personal documents, Home Department/General Administration Department are the designated authorities. In case of educational documents, the documents should first be authenticated by the Education Department of the concerned State Government/Union Territory. The details of the Regional Authentication Centre (RACs) in the States/UTs from where the documents should first be authenticated are given below. The Ministry of External Affairs attests the documents on the basis of the signature of the designated signing authorities of the State Government/Union Territory/Chambers of Commerce; hence it does not take responsibility of the contents of the documents.

Commercial Documents:-

Commercial Documents are to be pre-authenticated by the respective Chambers of Commerce before these can be attested by the Ministry of External Affairs.

Apostille: India is a member of the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961, abolishing the requirement of legalization of foreign public documents. Apostille is acceptable in 98 member-countries of the Convention - please see list below - (also visit HCCH website: www.hcch.net ). Appostille is done for personal documents like birth/death/marriage certificates, Affidavits, Power of Attorney, etc., and educational documents like degree, diploma, matriculation and secondary level certificates etc.

Documents required for Educational/Personal certificate attestation for MEA Attestation:

1. Original certificate
2. Passport copy
3. Visa Copy

Please note: for MEA attestation, original document needs to be pre authenticated first by respective HRD/HD