MEA Attestation vs. Apostille- An In-Depth Comparison for Informed Document Legalization Choices.docx

1. MEA Attestation vs. Apostille: An In-Depth Comparison for Informed Document Legalization Choices Legalization of documents is an important procedure, which must be undergone if one is dealing with the exchange or submission of documents in a foreign state. The two popular processes are called MEA attestation and apostille though the former is not as popular as the latter. Both methods seek to both authenticate and preserve documents, however, their work is various and admissible in different places. This document is intended as a guide in comparing between MEA attestation and apostille so that one may be in a better position to decide which legalization best suits their needs. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) attestation, therefore, is a legalization procedure that is particular to the countries of the India Union namely India, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar. MEA apostille is normally needed for the certificates which are meant to be used in these countries. 1. Pre-Attestation by Local Authorities Before submitting the document to the MEA for attestation, it must be verified by appropriate state-level authorities: For Educational Documents: This is through certification by the State Human Resource Department (HRD) or the Education Department. For Personal Documents: In another case, attestation by the Home Department or the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM). For Commercial Documents: Those that ran certified by the chamber

2. of commerce. 2. Submission to MEA After the pre-attestation is done the document can then be forwarded to the Ministry of External Affairs. You can either go personally to MEA offices in some of the following locations: Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad etc; Or you can avail the services of some authorized attestation agency to forward the documents on your behalf. 3. MEA Attestation Ministry of External affairs will check its credibility with earlier affidavits and affix its seal and signature in order to stamp its genuineness for international use. This also provides an assurance that the document has been legally issued in India, and any other foreign authority that may require the same shall accept the same. 4. Embassy Attestation as required Therefore, in those countries that are not member states to the Hague Apostille Convention, further embassy legalization could be necessary. Finally, to endorse the document is to take it to the embassy or consulate of the country to be visited in India is known as MEA attestation. Apostille is an international legalization process which is originated from the Hague Convention on private international law. It is for the most part meant to be used in countries that have signed the Hague Convention which includes its member countries. The apostille process typically involves the following steps: 1. Document Completion: The documents are ready at the disposal of the sender as they make sure the information enclosed and signatures are well placed. 2. Apostille Application: The documents are forwarded to the recipient’s country authority that has been declared by the sender. This authority is the one that is in charge of the recognition of the documents with a view of affixing the apostille seal.

3. 3. Apostille Stamp: The apostille stamp is placed on the documents and the documents are official in all the member countries of the Hague Convention. 4. Document Delivery: The documents that were apostilled are returned to the sender so that they can go through other legal processes in the foreign country. The Difference between MEA Attestation & Apostille Both MEA attestation and an apostille serve the purpose of authenticating and legalizing documents, but they have distinct differences: Applicable Jurisdictions: MEA attestation is relevant to the countries which are constituent of India Union and apostille is used where the country is a member of the Hague Convention. Purpose: MEA attestation is mostly used for the documents, which are going to be used in India Union and apostille for the documents that are going to be used in other countries. Process Complexity: MEA attestation and getting an apostille involves several processes such as MEA attestation and consular legalization while an apostille just involves few processes. Cost and Time: MEA attestation may take longer time and may cost more due to extra formalities required for it than an apostille which is cheaper and takes relatively short time. Acceptability: MEA attestation is not accepted in some countries while apostille is accepted in most of the countries of the world. MEA attestation and apostille are not used for the same purpose. However, the legal recognition for MEA attestation and apostille also are not the same. It is important to understand the differences between

4. these methods to make sound decisions about documents legalization. People who want to submit documents to India, or the India Union or any other country should therefore look at the purposes, complexity, costs and acceptability of the various methods and use the one that is best suited for the purpose.