Marriage Certificate Apostille

A Marriage Certificate Apostille is the process of obtaining certification from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in India. You can use the certificate for international purposes, as it serves as proof that a marriage certificate is genuine and authentic. You can use it in those countries that are members of the Hague Convention. India is a country that is part of the Hauge Convention. If you're going to a country that is not part of the Hauge convention, you have to go through an extra step and ask for embassy attestation.

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What is The Meaning of Marriage Certificate Apostille?

An Apostille is an official stamp affixed by the MEA on documents like a marriage certificate. This stamp confirms that the certificate has been attested by the rightful authorities, making it legally acceptable in Hague Convention countries. For instance, a marriage certificate apostille ensures that a foreign government recognizes the marital status of the couple mentioned in the document.

Why You Need a Marriage Certificate Apostille?

There are several key reasons why an individual may need their marriage certificate apostilled:

  • Applying for a dependent or work visa
  • You are applying for PR
  • Registering a marriage abroad
  • You are going abroad on a family visa
  • Applying for dual citizenship
  • Property ownership and child passport applications

How to Get a Marriage Certificate Apostille?

In order to obtain a marriage certificate, apostille involves several steps. Here’s an easy breakdown of the process:

Notary Attestation

The document first requires a notary stamp to confirm the authenticity of the marriage certificate.

SDM/State Attestation

After the notary attestation, the certificate needs verification from either the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) or the State government, depending on the route taken. The district's secretariat will do state authentication. The Hauge Convention countries accept SDM attestation. The SDM attestation takes 3 days to complete.

On the other hand, the State can take up to 30 days to complete. The Hauge Convention countries accept SDM attestation. If you are going to Italy or Australia, you have to go for State attestation.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA): Once the previous steps are completed, the document is sent to the MEA for the final Apostille.

In the case of non-Hague countries, an extra step of Embassy attestation is required.

How to Apply for a Marriage Certificate Apostille?

Applying for a marriage certificate apostille is straightforward. Follow these steps:

  • Register on ND Universal or contact us anytime
  • Submit the documents either in person or via courier
  • Make an online payment for the apostille service
  • Track your documents through email updates
  • Collect or receive your apostilled documents once the process is complete

Validity of Apostille Marriage Certificate

Marriage certificates Apostille or Apostille in general provided by MEA will have a validity of six months. Different countries have different validity periods. The validity of an Indian apostille is six months.

Do I need Original Marriage Certificate For Apostille?

Both original documents and certified copies can be Apostille. Getting an apostille on an original document is always a good idea.

Note: Note: Have you lost your marriage certificate? If you have lost your marriage certificate, you can get a marriage certificate affidavit apostille. You can prepare the Marriage certificate affidavit through a Notary public. We can help you get a marriage certificate in Apostille without any hassle.

Frequently Asked Questions