At present, along with an era of globalization, it has become a common fact that papers such as diplomas, marriage, and birth certificates must be checked by the concerned authority before using them abroad. To be more precise, getting an Apostille certificate is an important step. This certificate makes sure that your credential is real and it would be accepted by foreign officials as well, if the country has signed the Hague Apostille Convention. This article is dedicated for those people who live in India and need to have an Apostille stamp. It shows a step by step guide to go through the whole process.
What is an Apostille?
Apostille is a certificate that verifies the origin of a public document, such as a birth certificate, a marriage certificate, a school certificate, and the like. It is a guarantee that such papers are valid in the countries outside of India and they are UN member countries to the Hague Convention of 1961.
Step-by-Step Guide to Obtain an Apostille Stamp in India
1. Identify the Document: The first thing is to find out which document(s) should be apostilled. Some of the most important documents are:
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Educational degrees and diplomas
- Power of Attorney
- Court documents
2. Get Certified Copies: Make sure you have certified copies of these documents. If you don’t, get them certified by the issuing authority. Note that this is the most important step so only these certified copies, not the original ones, can be apostilled.
3. Visit the Regional Authentication Center (RAC): In India, Apostille stamps are provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MEA) via their Regional Authentication Centers (RAC) or service providers like apostille services Hyderabad. Identify where your area’s RAC is, as there is an office specifically assigned in each state.
4. Complete the Application Form: Get the official application form for apostille by either contacting them directly, or downloading it from the MEA site. Simply fill out the application form and submit it.
5. Gather Required Documents: Together with the application form, please collect the following documents:
- Original document(s) and their photocopies
- Identity proof (passport, Aadhar card, etc.)
- Any additional forms or declarations as specified
6. Submit Your Application: If you are not keen to visit the RAC office in person, you can also send your application documents by sending them via registered mail. The documents should be delivered together with the required processing fee (usually paid using demand draft or online).
7. Track Your Application: Stay in the loop on the status of your application. The time it takes for processing can be different, so in case of the absence of progress, you should be the one to follow up.
8. Receive the Apostille Certificate: The Apostille sticker or stamp will be issued to your documents by the RAC upon the successful completion of the process. This guarantees that they are valid for international use under the Hague Convention.
9. Use the Apostilled Documents Abroad: With the Apostille stamp, your documents are now internationally recognized, which means they can be used in countries that are part of the Hague Convention. Just hand them over when necessary for visas, work permits, academic enrollments, or other judicial purposes.
Tips and Considerations:
- Plan Ahead: Remember that the process of getting an apostille might take up to several days. Make sure you plan everything well in advance especially if you have a deadline in your mind.
- Verify Requirements: Check the specific requirements of the country where you want to use the documents. Some countries might have other documents that need to be legalized beyond Apostille.
- Keep Copies: Never let your guard down and mindfully continue to file and keep records of your papers that are certified copies and of the Apostille certificate for your documents.
Conclusion
While the process of getting the Apostille stamp in India is not that difficult, it is a matter of being careful and following the guidelines exactly. By simply doing the right things and making sure that all the required documents are ready, you will be able to validate your documents for international use in a practical way. Sometimes while travelling abroad to Qatar you might need additional Qatar Embassy Attestation Services as well. Keep in mind that each paper and situation may differ and will probably need particular requests, therefore, it’s wiser to either opt to talk with the RAC or get help from professionals. Through the Apostille stamp service, you will have peace of mind as you enter the international process, knowing that your documents are authorized internationally.
