Any expat requires the public documents (birth certificate, notarial attestation, marriage certificate, bank statements, etc.) abroad during and after the visit. However, before a document can be presented before any foreign public authority, it requires legalization. The traditional method of document validation is lengthy and cumbersome since it involves several government departments. The Apostille later came in origin on October 5, 1961, during a convention called “Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization of Foreign Public Documents” or commonly known as “Hague Apostille Convention.” Currently, there are 117 member countries of this convention which recognize Apostille. India is also a party in this convention, hence the services are easily available regarding Apostille Certificates in Pune and other major cities of India.
An Apostille is a certificate that grants validity to a public document. It came as an alternative for the universal recognition of a document after attestation. However, Apostille can only be issued in a country signatory to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention. It can also not be issued for the recognition of a document in the country where it was originally originated. An Apostille is required only if:
The document is originated in a country signatory to the Hague Apostille Convention.
The country where document is going to be used is a part of the Hague Apostille Convention.
The country where the document is going to be used requires legal validation of the certificate.
What is the procedure of Apostille in India?
Apostille is a simplified procedure that doesn’t require waiting in long queues for days. The procedure for Apostille in India is as follows:
HRD/Chamber of Commerce/Home Department Authentication
Prior to the Apostille, a document requires authentication at the state level. Depending upon the nature of a certificate, it requires authentication from a particular government department. The Human Resource Development, Home Department, and the Chamber of Commerce are the concerned departments attesting educational, personal, and commercial documents in India.
MEA Apostille
Eventually, the documents will be submitted at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) for Apostille. In India, the MEA has outsourced five companies for the submission and collection of documents at the Ministry. The Apostille and service charge is fixed by the ministry for bringing transparency in this procedure. The MEA charges Rs. per document for Apostille.
What is the importance of Apostille?
Since you are moving overseas for employment, education or any other purpose, the first thing you require is a visa. A visa request can’t be processed further unless a document is legalized. Apostille is a form of document legalization. The Apostille certifies the authenticity of the seal and signature on a document by the competent authority. However, it does not grant any additional weight to the certificate. The Apostille is an eminent procedure, hence you are recommended to seek professional assistance. Get services regarding Apostille Stamp in Pune and in other parts of India for a hassle-free experience.
