Birth Certificate MEA Attestation or Apostille Process – India
While going abroad for studies from India most of the universities in US, Europe require Birth Certificate Apostille.
Apostille : An Apostille is a type of attestation in which documents are legalised in a particular format that is acceptable in all nations that belong to the Hague Convention which includes about 92 countries. View list of all those countries here.
There are two steps for Birth certificate MEA attestation or apostille process –
1. State Attestation : State attestation is required before MEA attestation. In case of birth certificate, Home Department / General Administration Department of the document issuing state are the designated authorities. In Rajasthan you can go to following RAC (Regional Authentication Center) in Jaipur:
a. Officer on Special duty (OSD), Home (Jail Department), Government. of Rajasthan, Secretariat, Jaipur Tel.0141-5153222, 0141-5153222-Ext.2330
Check complete list of RAC centers in India here.
While going to any RAC for attestation please carry following documents –
i. Original Birth Certificate in English
ii. 2 photocopies of birth certificate
iii. 50rs stamped affidavit – Sample affidavit here.
FYI. State attestation is a official stamp and signature of the officer.
2. MEA Attestation or Apostille : MEA attestation or apostille is done only after attestation by the relevant state authorities.
MEA doesn´t accept documents personally for attestation. You can submit your birth certificate personally at VFS global attestation center. Please carry following documents at VFS center –
i. Original birth certificate with state attestation
ii. Original Passport
iii. Photocopy of front and back page of passport and of the issuing officers signature page photocopy
On all working days you can submit your documents at VFS center and can even it collect on same day. VFS will charge you 77rs for birth certificate MEA attestation. DO NOT submit documents to any private agents for State or MEA attestations. Theses private agents charge 5000 rs to 7000rs for 1 documents attestation.
FYI. Sample MEA Attestation here.
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