In simple terms, Apostille attestation is a way that is used to legalize a document. An apostille stamp is placed on the document by the Ministry of External Affairs authorities.This stamp makes the document legal and ready to use in a foreign country. In India, four authorities are engaged in the apostille process. These are notary, SDM/State, MEA, and Embassy. The major authority from which an apostille stamp is placed on the document is the Ministry of External Affairs.
But the second question that arises in mind is why a person should get an apostille stamp on the document. Is it essential? So, let’s see the importance of apostille attestation:
The documents that are a must for the apostille attestation are given below. The main document varies with the type of visa a person wants. Here is the list:
The first type of certificate for which apostille attestation is done is personal documents. This document includes apostille for death certificates, marriage certificates, police clearance certificates, experience certificates, divorce certificates, and several others.
Moving ahead, the second type of certificate is an educational document. Such as diploma certificates, school leaving certificates, nursing certificates, degree certificates, transfer certificates, and other related educational documents.
Further, there are commercial documents that include patents, contract papers, invoices, power of attorney, incorporation papers, insurance certificates, authority letters, and many more.
Many reasons make apostille attestation necessary. These are as follows:
The documents that are needed to get the apostille attestation done are as follows:
An original document is needed that is to be apostilled. The document includes a marriage certificate, degree certificate, birth certificate, single status certificate, police clearance certificate, or any other mentioned personal, educational, or commercial document.
There are three steps involved in the apostille attestation procedure. So, we will discuss each of them carefully.
This is the first step where all the documents that an individual wants to attest are presented to the notary. All the details are carefully checked with the supporting documents. When the details are found correct then the notary attests to the document with the signature.
Further, the documents are shown to State or SDM for attestation. In this step, both authorities will analyze the details, and when they will find that all the provided information is correct. Then only, the documents will be attested by them.
An individual can choose any of the authorities but the time taken by the SDM is less than the State authority. The SDM attestation is completed in three to five days. On the other hand, the state attestation takes three to four weeks to complete.
This step is an essential step of the attestation procedure. The MEA will verify all the details that are provided in the document that is to be apostilled. When the information gets verified then an apostille stamp is placed on the document by the authority. This is the last step for the countries that are a member of the Hague Nation.
PCC offers a variety of MEA attestation services and benefits. We always try to fulfill the necessities of our candidates. Furthermore, the whole procedure of MEA attestation is entirely based on the type of certificate, state to state, or the embassy of the foreign nation included in the MEA attestation procedure.
Using the MEA attestation services provided by PCC, you can efficiently complete the MEA attestation in Kerala. All you require to do is- first get verified the authentication of the certificate by the State Home Department. Secondly, the State Home Department will send your certificate to MEA for MEA attestation. And lastly, MEA will send the document to the respective embassy where the applicant wishes to move for the embassy attestation.
MEA (Ministry of External Affairs) attests to all the original certificates of the applicant. And it is considered an essential procedure for the applicant who is looking forward to moving abroad. However, before you initiate the document MEA attestation process, it must be authenticated by the respective departments/authorities of the State Government/Union Territory from where the certificate is issued, depending on the document type. The further procedure is work as listed below.
It is the initial stage of the MEA attestation process. If you are using PCC attestation services, then you do not need to worry about anything. We offer you all the services and facilities which are required to complete the regional level of attestation.
All three types( educational, personal, or commercial) of documents are issued by the State Home Department. To utilize these certificates in foreign countries, you have to get an attestation from the State Home Department. Plus, the department will confirm the authentication of your certificate.
As highlighted before, MEA attestation is the final stage of the verification, where the submitted certificates will get MEA attestation. Once the MEA attests your document, the attestation procedure will be completed, and the applicant can utilize the document in a foreign country.