Introduction

As globalization has been on the rise, foreign use requires legalization of official documents. Apostille is one of the most crucial authentication processes required in legalization of a document. If you are planning to study, work, or settle abroad, you may require an apostille on your birth certificate or marriage certificate. Here is a step-by-step guide to getting an apostille on marriage and birth certificates, without any hassle.

What is an Apostille?

An apostille is a certificate of authenticity that serves as proof that a document has been authenticated for foreign use. It is authenticated by an officer of notary in a 1961 Hague Convention member state. The stamp of the apostille ensures no further certification is required and can be accepted automatically in convention nations.

India is a contracting state to the Hague Convention and therefore Indian apostilled documents have validity throughout all the member countries of the Convention. Apostille is generally required for immigration, foreign education, work, and other foreign judicial processes.

Why Do You Require an Apostille for Birth Certificate and Marriage Certificate?

Birth and marriage certificates rank among the documents most often requiring an apostille since they rank as most paramount:

Apostille of Birth Certificate: Required for visa application, foreign education, work visas, or applications for citizenship in a foreign country.

Apostille of Marriage Certificate: Required for spouse visa application, foreign residence, immigration formalities, and legalization of marriage abroad.

Step-by-Step Process to Obtain Apostille on Birth and Marriage Certificates

Step 1: Obtain a Certified Copy of the Certificate

Ensure you have an original and undamaged copy of your birth or marriage certificate before starting the apostille process. It has to be authenticated by the concerned municipal corporation, gram panchayat, or sub-registrar office. Hand-written or laminated copies cannot be used for apostille in the majority of cases.

Step 2: State-Level Attestation (Home Department/SDM Attestation)

The initial apostille process is to get the attested certificate from the State Home Department (SHD) or Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM). There are two forms of possible attestations:

Home Department Attestation: This is the conventional way in which the certificate is attested by the concerned state government’s Home Department.

SDM Attestation: The majority prefer SDM attestation since it is faster than Home Department attestation.

Deciding between the two will be based on the country of destination’s requirement and the processing time required.

Step 3: MEA Apostille Authentication

When the document is attested at the state level, it will be required to present it in front of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to obtain apostille verification. MEA puts an apostille sticker on the back of the document so that it can be authenticated as an original document.

Step 4: Obtain the Apostilled Document

Once the MEA processes the document, it is delivered to the applicant by courier or picked up from the submitting center. The document is now accepted in all Hague Convention countries.

Step 5: Delivery

Once we get the apostilled documents, we courier the hard copy to the concerned person.

Advantages of Professional Apostille Service

Although you can do the apostille process yourself, availing the services of a professional apostille Company like La Classe Translation Private Limited is advantageous in the following ways:

Time-Saving: Spare yourself the time spent waiting in lines.

Professional Service: Obtain correct documentation and certification.

Doorstep Service: Pickup and drop off services are provided by some agencies.

Error-Free Process: Minimize the likelihood of rejection of documents due to incorrect formatting.

Points to Remember While Seeking an Apostille

Check Document Validity: Ensure the birth or marriage certificate is not damaged, has clear print, and official stamp.

Check Apostille Requirements: Different requirements for different countries; check the destination country’s embassy.

Avoid False Agencies: Use government-approved apostille services to avoid fraud.

Conclusion

Birth and marriage certificate apostille is something that cannot be circumvented for foreign travel, employment, education, or immigration. Even though the process appears time-consuming, knowing the steps in advance can help make the process less cumbersome. As long as you are following it according to the process given here or have availed the services of a professional company like La Classe Translation Private Limited (mainly La Classe’s Apostille in India), you will find the apostille process to be a simple task. Do it yourself or outsource it to experts, either way, your documents being apostilled is your time and money well invested in order to spare effort and time in utilizing them abroad.