Navigating the document apostille process in India can seem like a labyrinth of procedures and requirements. To demystify this journey, let's break down the process into clear, actionable steps:

Step 1: Introduction to e-Sanad

• What is e-Sanad?: e-Sanad is an electronic service introduced by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. It facilitates the verification and attestation of documents for Indian citizens and foreigners who obtained official documents within India.

Step 2: Application Process

• Uploading Documents: Candidates are required to upload their documents on the e-Sanad platform, accompanied by the standard fee set by the organization providing the e-services.

Step 3: Digital Verification

• Departmental Verification: The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) and the General Administration Department (GAD) of the Government of India conduct a thorough digital verification process to ensure the authenticity of the documents.

Step 4: Ministry of External Affairs Verification

• Final Verification: After the digital verification process, the documents undergo further scrutiny by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, to ensure compliance with legal standards.

Step 5: Receipt of Attested Documents

• Document Dispatch: Upon successful verification, the attested documents, along with apostilles, are dispatched to the applicants, marking the culmination of the apostille process.

Key Note

• MEA Procedure: It's essential to note that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) does not directly accept documents from applicants. All documents for Attestation/Apostille by MEA must be submitted to and collected from accredited apostille agencies.

Types of Document Apostille

Personal Document Apostille

• Examples: Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate, Passport Copies, etc.
• Process: Notary Attestation, Home Department Attestation or SDM Attestation, Apostille from MEA.

Educational Certificate Apostille

• Examples: Degree Certificate, SSC Certificate, Transcript Certificate, etc.
• Process: Varies based on document origin. Procedures for Maharashtra-issued and out-of-Maharashtra issued documents differ.