MEA Attestation and Apostille – Role of the Ministry of External Affairs

MEA attestation and apostille process explained with the role of the Ministry of External Affairs

Table of Contents

1. What Is the MEA and Its Role in Attestation?

2. Why MEA Attestation or Apostille Is Required

3. Types of Legalization by MEA – Apostille vs. Attestation

4. The Step-by-Step MEA Process

5. Documents Handled by MEA Attestation

6. How PEC Helps With MEA Attestation and Apostille

7. FAQs

1. What Is the MEA and Its Role in Attestation?

The MEA (Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India) is the nodal agency responsible for India’s foreign relations. Among its many roles, the MEA also legalizes documents for international use.

When you apply for study abroad, a work visa, PR, or family migration, foreign governments require proof that your documents are authentic and issued by recognized Indian authorities. This is ensured through MEA attestation or MEA apostille.

2. Why MEA Attestation or Apostille Is Required

Foreign universities, embassies, and employers need assurance that your Indian-issued certificates are genuine and not forged.

• MEA attestation validates documents for non-Hague countries like UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Malaysia.

• MEA apostille legalizes documents for Hague Convention countries such as Germany, France, Italy, Portugal, Australia.

Without MEA attestation or apostille, your documents are considered invalid abroad.

3. Types of Legalization by MEA – Apostille vs. Attestation

MEA Apostille

• Applicable for Hague Convention (HOC) countries.

• The MEA applies a unique apostille sticker to the document.

• Accepted in over 100+ countries.

  
  

MEA Attestation

• Used for non-Hague countries.

• The MEA places an attestation stamp on the document.

• Acts as a prerequisite before embassy attestation.

Both methods confirm that your certificate has been verified and authenticated for global use.

4. The Step-by-Step MEA Process

The process of MEA attestation or apostille usually follows this order:

1. Notary Attestation (if applicable)

2. State-Level Attestation – Home/HRD/SDM verification

3. MEA Attestation or Apostille – final validation in India

4. Embassy Attestation (required for non-Hague countries)

5. Documents Handled by MEA Attestation

The Ministry of External Affairs processes three major categories of documents:

• Educational Certificates – Degree, Diploma, Marksheet

• Personal Documents – Birth, Marriage, Divorce, Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)

• Commercial Documents – Power of Attorney, MoA, Board Resolution, Export/Company Documents

6. How PEC Helps With MEA Attestation and Apostille

PEC provides end-to-end MEA attestation and apostille services, including: 

• Document pickup and delivery 

• State-level and SDM attestation 

• MEA submission for attestation or apostille 

• Embassy legalization (if required) 

• Translation support for embassy acceptance

  With PEC, you don’t have to run between offices — your documents are processed securely and efficiently.

FAQ's

1. What is MEA attestation?

 It is the process where the Ministry of External Affairs authenticates documents for use in non-Hague countries.

2. What is MEA apostille?

An apostille is a unique sticker applied by MEA for documents going to Hague Convention countries.

3. Do all documents need MEA attestation?

Yes, for international use, educational, personal, and commercial documents must undergo MEA legalization.