India
Apostille in India
At a glance
Who issues apostilles in India, and what does it cost?
| Uses apostilles? | Uses apostilles1 |
|---|---|
| Member since | 1 |
| How it joined | Joined later (accession), 1 |
| Who issues apostilles | Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Consular, Passport and Visa Division, apostille of documents for use abroad; applications go through outsourced service providers at Branch Secretariats and Regional Passport Offices2 |
| Fee | ₹50 (per apostille sticker, MEA fee)2checked 18 October 2026 ₹84 (per document, service fee of the outsourced agency for collection and delivery)2checked 18 October 2026 ₹3 (per page, scanning fee of the outsourced agency)2checked 18 October 2026 About €0.47 for the first fee listed, at the European Central Bank reference rate of 16 October 2026. Compare costs |
| Processing time | Not published by the office2checked 18 October 2026 |
| What the receiving side decides | Whether it accepts the document: for example how recent it must be and whether it needs a translation. |
| Last checked |
Step by step
How to get an apostille in India
The Ministry does not accept documents directly from individuals, so you submit them to one of the designated outsourced agencies.2
Approach the Branch Secretariat or Regional Passport Office in your area; the services are decentralised to 15 cities: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Chennai, Chandigarh, Cochin, New Delhi, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Panaji, Raipur and Thiruvananthapuram.3
Pay the MEA fee of Rs 50 for each apostille, plus the outsourced agency's service fee and scanning fee.2
Collect the apostilled document from the same agency.2
Contacts
Who to contact in India
- Apostille officeMinistry of External Affairs (MEA), Consular, Passport and Visa Division2Apostille of documents for use abroad; applications go through outsourced service providers at Branch Secretariats and Regional Passport Officesuscpv@mea.gov.in
- The office that will receive your documentAsk it before you start what it needs: an apostille, a translation, or a document issued recently.
Common situations
Using a document from or in India
A document issued in India
The apostille comes from India, from the office named above. It works in any other country where the Convention applies with India.
Check where it can be usedA document for use in India
Get the apostille in the country that issued the document, not in India. India accepts it if that country is also a member and the Convention applies between the two.
Check your countryGood to know
Good to know
Caution: Not every country accepts it
When India joined, other member countries could object. Between India and an objecting country the Convention does not apply. Check HCCH for the specific pair of countries.1
Note: Rule
The Ministry does not legalise photocopies.4
Note: Rule
The Ministry advises applicants not to rely on unauthorised persons or touts for apostille or attestation services.2
Before the apostille
Private documents
A private document, such as a power of attorney or a contract, is first signed in front of a notary public, and the apostille then goes on the notary’s certificate. A copy of a public document from another country is first certified by a notary public, then apostilled.
An apostille only confirms the signature, the role of the person who signed and any seal or stamp on the document. It does not confirm what the document says. The office that receives the document decides what it accepts.
Questions
Questions about apostilles in India
Does India accept apostilles?
Yes. India has been a member of the Apostille Convention since 14 July 2005, so it issues and accepts apostilles for documents exchanged with other member countries.
Who issues apostilles in India?
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Consular, Passport and Visa Division (apostille of documents for use abroad; applications go through outsourced service providers at Branch Secretariats and Regional Passport Offices).
How much does an apostille cost in India?
₹50 (per apostille sticker, MEA fee). ₹84 (per document, service fee of the outsourced agency for collection and delivery). ₹3 (per page, scanning fee of the outsourced agency). Fees can change, so check the office’s own page before you apply.
How long does an apostille take in India?
The office does not publish a processing time (checked 18 October 2026).
Do I need to notarise a private document first?
Yes. A private document, such as a power of attorney or a contract, is first signed in front of a notary public. The apostille is then added to the notary’s certificate, not to the private document itself.
Is an apostille valid in countries that are not Convention members?
No. It only works in other member countries where the Convention applies with India. When India joined, other members could object, so check the specific pair of countries. Countries outside the Convention use legalisation.
Sources and verification
Sources
- Status
- Last verified: (18 October 2026)
- How it was checked
- Checked by our team against the sources above
- Next review
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