MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (MEA) DOCUMENT ATTESTATION
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Attestation and Apostille work has been outsourced with effect from March 1, 2012. As a result of the Outsourcing, no document from individuals is accepted by MEA Counter at CPV Division, Patiala House, and New Delhi. The original document is to be submitted directly to one of the Outsourced companies, CIAS collection and delivery center along with a photocopy of th document and a photocopy of the applicant’s passport
MEA Document Attestation Procedure
All original documents requiring Attestation or Apostille by the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi, are required to be first authenticated/attested by the designated authorities/departments of the State Governments//Union Territory from where the documents were issued. MEA Attestation can only be done after the respective relevant state authority has attested a particular document.
A list of the Regional Authentication Centers and the designated authorities can be seen on the MEA website http://www.mea.gov.in/
We require MEA attestation to use the document or certificate within India and in foreign countries. The process of Attestation of certificates/documents from MEA can be done on all the Certificates/documents issued by Indian Authorities. The procedure is as follows-
Step 1: Authentication of documents
The documents (like birth or death certificates, marriage certificates, affidavits, driving licenses, etc.) are required to be first attested by the State Home Department of the issuing State/Union Territory. The authentication must be done with the name and designation seal as well as the seal of the Department.
The documents should be first attested by the State Education Department of the concerned State Government/Union Territory. The authentication must be done with the name and designation seal as well as the seal of the Department.
The documents are to be pre-authenticated by the respective Chambers of Commerce before these can be attested by the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi. The rubber stamp of the respective Chamber of Commerce must be affixed on each document along with the name & designation of authorized signatory.
Step 2: Attestation/Legalization of documents by MEA
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) attests /legalizes the documents only after these have been authenticated by the signature and seal/stamp of the designated authorities of the State Government/Union Territory/Chambers of Commerce from where the documents have been issued. The MEA legalizes the certificate/documents on the basis of the signature of the designated authorities; hence it does not take responsibility for the contents of the documents.
Types of Documents
The Ministry of External Affairs does not levy any fees for General Attestation of documents. However, it has fixed the following Service Charges payable to us for each document. The applicants need to submit the following documents/fees:
(a) Original document to be attested;
(b) One clear photocopy of the document;
(c) One clear photocopy of the passport;
- It is relevant to mention that the MEA does not legalize or attest photocopies of the documents. Applicants are advised not to rely on unauthorized persons for MEA Attestation services.
- Documents can be deposited in our “Collection & Delivery” centers between 0900 hrs and 1800 hrs from Monday to Saturday excluding holidays.
- Documents can be deposited and collected back either in person or through an authorized representative. Documents will be returned only on production of receipts for payment of service charge.
- However, in case the document is found fake or the authentication forged, the same will be seized by the Ministry of External Affairs. The Ministry may also initiate appropriate legal action against the applicant. The service charge paid to us cannot be refunded in any circumstances.
Educational Documents
- Degree Certificate
- PG Degree Certificate
- BE Certificate
- Diploma Certificate
- Nursing Certificate
- SSC Certificate
- HSC Certificate
- Inter Certificate
- MBBS Certificate
- Dentists Certificate
- Engineering Certificate
- Transcript Certificate
- Nursing Certificate
- Pharmacy Certificate
- MS Certificate
- MD Certificate
- Mark Sheets
Non-Educational Documents
- Marriage Certificate
- Birth Certificate
- BE Certificate
- Leaving Certificate
- Police Clearance
- Registration Certificate
- Power of Attorney
- Marriage Certificate
- MBBS Certificate
- Bona-fide Certificate
- Medical Certificate
Commercial Documents
- Export Invoice
- Packaging list
- Power of Attorney
- Certificate of Origin
- Certificate of incorporation
- Chemical analysis report
- Physical analysis report
Countries that Accept MEA General Attestation
The Countries which are not signatory to the Hague Convention 1961 require and accept Indian documents Attested by the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi, as valid documents for further processing by their respective Embassies/Consulates for various purposes. Thereafter these attested documents can be used in the foreign country concerned.