Birth Certificate Apostille in India: Fees, Process & Time
Birth certificate apostille from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) for online and offline certificates from any state, with doorstep pickup and tracked return courier.
Quick answer: A birth certificate apostille is an MEA sticker that makes your Indian birth certificate valid in about 130 Hague Convention countries. Our charge starts from ₹1,500. The fast route (Notary → SDM New Delhi → MEA) usually takes 2–3 working days; the Home Department route takes 25 days or more. For the UAE, Qatar or Kuwait you need birth certificate attestation instead.
What is a birth certificate apostille?
An apostille is a sticker fixed by India's Ministry of External Affairs on your original birth certificate. It confirms the certificate is genuine, so authorities in Hague Convention countries accept it without any embassy stamp.
People usually need it for a residence or family visa, a student or work visa, citizenship or passport applications abroad, and registering a marriage or a child's birth in another country. Both online and offline birth certificates, and birth affidavits, can be apostilled.
Birth certificate apostille: key facts at a glance
| Who issues the apostille | Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), New Delhi |
|---|---|
| Our charge | From ₹1,500 per certificate (fast route) |
| Time | 2–3 working days (SDM route) · 25+ days (Home Department route) |
| Documents | Original birth certificate + passport copy (first and last page) |
| Accepted in | About 130 Hague Convention countries, e.g. Italy, Germany, Canada, UK, Saudi Arabia |
| Not accepted in | UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt (these need attestation) |
| Certificate types | Online and offline birth certificates, birth affidavits |
| Visit to Delhi needed? | No, doorstep pickup and tracked return courier across India |
Birth certificate apostille or attestation?
The destination country decides which one you need. Choosing correctly the first time saves time and money.
An apostille is a single MEA sticker. Attestation is a longer chain that ends with the destination country's embassy stamp. Both are done on your original birth certificate, and we handle either one from start to finish.
Apostille (this page)
For Hague Convention countries. One MEA sticker, no embassy step.
- Italy, Germany, France, Netherlands, Switzerland
- Canada, USA, UK, Australia
- Denmark, Finland, Norway and the rest of Europe
- Saudi Arabia, Oman, China, Japan
Attestation
For countries outside the Convention. MEA attestation plus the embassy stamp.
- UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt
- See birth certificate attestation
You can check any country on the official HCCH Apostille Convention status table, or simply ask us.
Birth certificate apostille fees in 2026
One clear price before you send anything. The route your certificate needs decides the time and the final charge.
| Route | Time | Charge |
|---|---|---|
| Fast route: Notary → SDM New Delhi → MEA apostille | 2–3 working days | From ₹1,500 |
| Home Department / ADM route → MEA apostille | 25 days or more | Quote on WhatsApp |
| Attestation for UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and similar | Depends on embassy | See attestation |
Your charge covers the MEA apostille fee, notary and SDM processing, submission, status updates and tracked return courier. The ₹50 MEA apostille fee is set by the Ministry of External Affairs.
Birth certificate apostille process: two routes
Route 1: Fast route through SDM New Delhi (2–3 working days)
- Notary attestationA notary public in New Delhi verifies the birth certificate.
- SDM authenticationThe Sub-Divisional Magistrate, New Delhi, authenticates the notarised certificate.
- MEA apostilleThe Ministry of External Affairs adds the apostille sticker.
- Back to your doorReturned by tracked courier, usually within 2–3 working days.
Some countries and embassies, for example Italy, Portugal and Austria, may not accept the SDM route. Tell us the destination country first and we will choose the right route.
Route 2: Home Department route (accepted everywhere)
- State Home Department, ADM or SDM authenticationDone by the authority of the state that issued the certificate.
- MEA apostilleThe Ministry of External Affairs adds the apostille sticker.
- Back to your doorThe Home Department step usually takes 25 days or more, depending on the state.
Which birth certificates can be apostilled?
MEA apostilles public documents, so the certificate must come from a government registrar. Knowing this before you start avoids most rejections.
Usually accepted
- Certificates from the Registrar of Births and Deaths (municipal corporation, nagar palika or gram panchayat)
- Online birth certificates from the government civil registration system
- Older handwritten certificates issued by the registrar
- Birth affidavits, where the destination accepts them
Usually a problem
- Hospital birth records or discharge papers (not a government certificate)
- Certificates without the child's name; get the name added by the registrar first
- Laminated, torn or overwritten certificates
- Photocopies, even if self-attested
Common reasons for delay, and how to avoid them
- Spelling differences: the name on the birth certificate and passport should match. If they differ, ask us first; sometimes a supporting affidavit helps.
- Wrong route for the country: some embassies want the Home Department route. Confirm the country before you send the certificate.
- Missing registration details: the certificate should show a registration number, date and the registrar's seal and signature.
Documents required and tips that save time
What to send
The original birth certificate (online or offline) and a clear copy of the holder's passport, first and last page.
Check the name
The name and date of birth should match the passport. A mismatch can lead to rejection at the SDM or MEA stage.
Pick the route first
Ask which route the destination country accepts before starting, so you do not pay twice.
Start early
If your country needs the Home Department route, plan for 25 days or more.
Birth certificate apostille in your state or city
Wherever your birth certificate was issued, you can get it apostilled from home. Pick your state or city for a guide made for you.
We could not find that place on the list, but we still serve it. Message us on WhatsApp.
Not on the list? We cover every district in India by courier.
Birth certificate apostille anywhere in India →Frequently asked questions about birth certificate apostille
What is a birth certificate apostille?
It is a sticker issued by India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and fixed on your original birth certificate. It confirms the certificate is genuine, so authorities in about 130 Hague Apostille Convention countries accept it without an embassy stamp.
What are the birth certificate apostille fees?
Our charge for birth certificate apostille starts from ₹1,500 per certificate through the fast SDM route. The Home Department route is quoted separately because the time and state charges vary.
How long does birth certificate apostille take?
The fast route through Notary, SDM New Delhi and MEA usually takes 2 to 3 working days. The Home Department route takes 25 days or more, depending on the state.
Which documents are required for birth certificate apostille?
The original birth certificate, online or offline, and a clear copy of the document holder's passport, first and last page.
Can an online birth certificate be apostilled?
Yes. Both online and offline birth certificates issued in India can be apostilled, as can a birth affidavit.
Does every country accept the SDM route?
Most do, but some countries and embassies, for example Italy, Portugal and Austria, may ask for the Home Department route. Tell us the destination country first so we choose the right route.
Is a birth certificate apostille valid in the UAE, Qatar or Kuwait?
No. These countries are not members of the Hague Apostille Convention, so they need birth certificate attestation with an embassy stamp instead of an apostille.
Can a hospital birth certificate be apostilled?
Usually not. MEA apostilles government-issued documents, so you need the birth certificate issued by the Registrar of Births and Deaths, such as the municipal corporation or gram panchayat, not the hospital's own record.
Can a birth certificate without the child's name be apostilled?
It is better to get the child's name added by the issuing registrar first. Most foreign authorities expect the name on the birth certificate to match the passport, and a certificate without a name often causes problems.
Do I need to visit Delhi?
No. You can courier your birth certificate from anywhere in India. We complete the process in Delhi and return it by tracked courier.
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