How to Get A Marriage Certificate Apostille
Written by: Abhishek Chatterjee
Reviewed by: Vakila Khan
If you are planning to move to another country for education, a job, or other such purposes. In that case, you must have come across the term ‘apostille.’ It is easy to get confused and intimidated by such technical words. However, there is no need to worry. This article will walk you through everything that you need to know about a marriage certificate apostille.
An apostille is an attestation, stamp, or sticker from the Ministry of External Affairs on all your official documents, ensuring its authenticity. When you move to another country, these attested documents will be accepted by that country’s government. Therefore, to know in-depth about the marriage certificate apostille, read on.
What is a Marriage Certificate Apostille?
Marriage Certificate Apostille in India is a very important part of the legalization process for “HCCH Member Countries”. Marriage Certificate Apostille is required for a spouse to migrate to another country on the basis of a ‘dependent visa’. The marriage certificate, being an official and legal document, states that two people are married and legally declares the relationship between husband and wife.
Why Is Apostille Attestation Required for a Marriage Certificate?
The need for apostille attestation in India arises in a variety of situations, such as:
- Dependent Visa
- Permanent Residency (PR)
- Employment Abroad
- Family Immigration
Without an apostille attestation, your marriage certificate may not be accepted abroad, delaying your entire immigration or visa process.
Steps Involved in the Marriage Certificate Apostille Process
The MEA Apostille process includes two main steps:
Step 1: Authentication of Documents
Before getting the MEA stamp, your document needs to be authenticated at the state or district level.
Option A: SDM (Sub-Divisional Magistrate) Verification
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- A faster, simpler route.
- Takes around 3–14 working days.
- Preferred if you’re short on time.
- Documents are submitted directly to the SDM office for authentication, which is then forwarded to MEA.
Option B: State Government Verification
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- Required for certain countries like Italy and Austria, where SDM verification is not accepted.
- Documents must go through the State Home Department (or Secretariat).
- Takes up to 30 working days.
Step 2: Legalisation by the MEA
Once your documents are verified, they are submitted to the Ministry of External Affairs for the final apostille stamp. This apostille acts as your document’s international “passport,” validating it for all Hague member countries.
Note: For non-Hague(1) countries, embassy attestation is required in addition to MEA apostille.
Documents Required for Marriage Certificate Apostille
Here’s what you’ll need to keep ready:
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- Government-issued ID proofs (e.g., Passport, Aadhaar)
- Original Marriage Certificate (issued by a competent Indian authority)
- Copy of the spouse’s passport
- Filled apostille application form
Author
Apply for Marriage Certificate Apostille with Worldwide Transcripts
You can either use the online service of e-sanad(2) or do it offline so that the current status can be tracked. Looking for a trusted apostille service provider in India? Look no further.
At Worldwide Transcripts, we make the entire apostille process seamless, reliable, and fast.
Here’s how it works:
Step-by-Step Process
- Reach Out to Us– Fill out our enquiry form or directly call/WhatsApp us at +91-8817353627.
- Document Verification– Our expert team will verify all your submitted documents for eligibility and completeness.
- Submission to MEA– Once verified, your documents are submitted for apostille at MEA.
- Delivery within 3–5 business days– Your marriage certificate apostille is delivered to you within 3–4 working days — quick, secure, and worry-free.
Why Choose Worldwide Transcripts?
Take the right step today—let Worldwide Transcripts make your marriage certificate apostille journey seamless!
Conclusion
Getting an apostille for your marriage certificate in India may seem scary at first, especially when it has complex documentation requirements and tight deadlines. However, with the support of a reliable and experienced apostille service provider, the process becomes largely smooth, efficient, timely, and free of unwanted stress. Whether you are applying for a dependent visa, seeking permanent residence (PR), or planning to live with your spouse abroad, ensuring that your documents are properly authenticated is a crucial step. Getting your marriage certificate apostilled not only validates your marital status internationally but also paves the way for a seamless immigration or relocation journey.
With Worldwide Transcripts as your trusted partner, you can seamlessly navigate the MEA Apostille Attestation(3) process with expert support, fast turnaround times, and guaranteed authenticity.
Let us handle the complexities while you focus on building your future across borders.
