An apostille is a certificate attached to a public document that tells authorities in another country that the document is genuine. India is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, so an apostille issued by India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is accepted in other member countries without further embassy attestation. Marriage certificates are among the most commonly apostilled documents, for spouse visas and family reunification.
Key facts
- Step 1
- Notarise a copy of the marriage certificate
- Step 2
- Attestation by the Home Department, Government of Maharashtra, at Mantralaya
- Step 3
- Apostille by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)
- Use
- For countries in the Hague Apostille Convention; others need embassy legalisation
Apostille or embassy legalisation?
| Destination country | What is needed |
|---|---|
| A member of the Hague Apostille Convention (most of Europe, the US, the UK, Australia and many others) | MEA apostille |
| A country that is not a member (for example, the UAE) | MEA attestation, followed by legalisation by that country’s embassy in India |
Always confirm the current requirement with the authority that will receive the document, as membership and rules change.
The steps for a document issued in Maharashtra
- Get the right document. Use the original certificate or a fresh certified copy from the issuing office, with names that match your passport. See duplicate marriage certificates.
- State-level authentication. Before the MEA will apostille a personal document such as a marriage or birth certificate, it must be authenticated by the state government. For personal documents issued in Maharashtra, this is the Home Department, Government of Maharashtra, at Mantralaya, usually after notarisation. Educational documents first go through the education authorities.
- MEA apostille. Submit the document through one of the outsourcing agencies authorised by the MEA, which forward it to the MEA’s office with jurisdiction. The MEA affixes the apostille sticker.
- Collection. The agency returns the apostilled document.
Fees and time
- The MEA’s apostille fee is Rs 50 per document. Authorised agencies charge a separate service fee.
- State-level authentication may carry its own charges.
- Allow several working days to a few weeks in total, longer in busy seasons. Do not leave it to the week before a visa appointment.
Common mistakes
- Names don’t match the passport. Correct the certificate first. See correcting a marriage certificate.
- Using a photocopy or notarised copy where an original or certified copy is required.
- Marathi-only certificate without a certified translation, where the foreign authority needs one.
- Apostilling the wrong version, such as an old certificate when a newer computerised one exists.
- Using unauthorised agents who charge for “fast-track” services that do not exist.
Documents often apostilled together
- marriage certificate, for spouse visas;
- birth certificates of children;
- educational certificates and transcripts;
- police clearance certificates;
- powers of attorney and affidavits executed in India for use abroad.
For documents coming into India from abroad, the reverse applies: they usually need an apostille from the issuing country. See the NRI legal guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apostille a marriage certificate issued decades ago?
Yes, if the issuing office can verify it. Getting a fresh certified copy often makes the process smoother.
Do I need to appear in person?
Usually not. Documents are submitted and collected through the authorised agencies.
My spouse’s embassy says the certificate must be recent. What does that mean?
Some countries want a certificate issued within a set period, such as six months. Get a fresh certified copy and apostille that.
See also: marrying a foreign national in Mumbai.
Consultations are by appointment. To fix a time, telephone +91 99301 50560 or send a message on WhatsApp.
This guide describes the general process as understood in October 2026. The MEA’s procedures, authorised agencies and the state attestation authority can change; check the MEA’s current instructions before applying. It is not legal advice.