Marriage Certificate Apostille in India: Step-by-Step MEA Process
Get your Indian marriage certificate, Nikahnama or marriage affidavit apostilled by the Ministry of External Affairs, from any state, without visiting Delhi.
Quick answer: To apostille a marriage certificate in India, the original is first notarised and authenticated by the SDM New Delhi or your state's Home Department, and then the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) fixes the apostille sticker. The SDM route takes about 2–3 working days; the Home Department route takes 25 days or more. You need the original certificate and passport copies of both spouses. Charges are ₹1,500–₹2,500.
What is a marriage certificate apostille?
A marriage certificate apostille is a square sticker that India's Ministry of External Affairs fixes on the back of your original marriage certificate. It carries a unique apostille number and a QR code, and it tells any Hague Convention country that the registrar's seal and signature on your certificate are genuine.
Couples usually need it for a spouse or dependant visa, a family reunion permit, registering the marriage abroad, adding a spouse to health insurance or a work permit, changing a surname on foreign records, or applying for permanent residence or citizenship.
Marriage certificate apostille at a glance
| Issued by | Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), New Delhi |
|---|---|
| Before MEA | Notary → SDM New Delhi, or state Home Department |
| Time | 2–3 working days (SDM) · 25+ days (Home Department) |
| Charges | ₹1,500–₹2,500 per certificate, all-inclusive |
| Documents | Original marriage certificate + passport copies of husband and wife |
| Valid in | About 130 Hague Convention countries |
| Not valid in | UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt (need marriage certificate attestation) |
| Certificate types | Online and offline certificates, Nikahnama, church certificates, marriage affidavits |
Marriage certificate apostille samples
This is what your certificate looks like when it comes back: the MEA apostille sticker with its number and QR code, fixed on the reverse of the original.
How to get a marriage certificate apostille: step by step
- Check the destination countryIf it is a Hague Convention member, you need an apostille. If not (UAE, Qatar, Kuwait), you need attestation instead.
- Notary attestationA notary public verifies the original certificate.
- SDM or Home DepartmentThe SDM New Delhi, or the Home Department of the state where the marriage was registered, authenticates it.
- MEA apostilleThe Ministry of External Affairs fixes the apostille sticker with a unique number and QR code.
- Back to your doorReturned by Blue Dart or DTDC Prime with tracking.
SDM route or Home Department route?
Both routes end with the same MEA apostille. The difference is who authenticates your certificate before MEA, and that decides the time.
SDM New Delhi route (fast)
- Notary → SDM New Delhi → MEA
- About 2–3 working days
- Accepted by most countries
- Best when time is short
Home Department route (state)
- Notary → your state's Home Department → MEA
- 25 days or more, depending on the state
- Accepted everywhere
- Needed when an embassy, for example Italy, Portugal or Austria, insists on it
Not sure which one your country accepts? Send us the destination and the purpose, and we will tell you before you pay anything.
Documents required for marriage certificate apostille
Original certificate
The registrar-issued marriage certificate, online or offline, unlaminated and in good condition.
Husband's passport
Clear copy of the first and last page.
Wife's passport
Clear copy of the first and last page, even if her surname has changed.
Authority letter
Only if someone else submits on your behalf; we share the format.
Apostille for different kinds of marriage certificates
India registers marriages under different laws, and each produces a slightly different certificate. All of them can be apostilled, as long as they come from a government registrar.
Hindu marriage certificate
Issued by the Registrar of Marriages or the municipal office. The most common certificate we apostille.
Court marriage certificate
Issued by the Marriage Officer, often for inter-faith couples and couples where one spouse is foreign. Apostilled the same way.
Nikahnama
A Nikahnama can be apostilled. Many countries prefer it to be registered with the state as well, so check with the destination first.
Church certificate
A church certificate is best registered under the Indian Christian Marriage Act, so a government copy can be apostilled.
Online marriage certificate
Certificates downloaded from a state portal, with a digital signature or QR code, can be apostilled.
Marriage affidavit
Accepted by some countries in place of a certificate. It is notarised and apostilled like other personal documents.
Countries that accept a marriage certificate apostille
An MEA apostille is accepted in every Hague Apostille Convention country. Indian couples most often send their marriage certificates to:
| Country | Common use | Apostille accepted? |
|---|---|---|
| UK, Ireland | Spouse visa, settlement | Yes |
| USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand | Spouse or partner visa, PR | Yes |
| Germany, Italy, France, Netherlands, Spain, Portugal | Family reunion, marriage registration | Yes (Italy, Portugal, Austria may ask for the Home Dept route) |
| Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain | Family visa, iqama for spouse | Yes |
| China, Japan, Singapore, Russia | Dependant visa, residence permit | Yes |
| UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt | Family visa | No: need attestation |
Many European countries also ask for a sworn translation after the apostille. Your embassy or registry office will say which language and translator they accept.
Common problems and how to fix them
Wife's surname changed
If her passport shows the new surname and the certificate the old one, send both passports. A one-name affidavit sometimes helps.
Unregistered marriage
A temple or Arya Samaj certificate alone is often refused. Register the marriage with the registrar first.
Laminated certificate
The apostille sticker cannot be fixed on lamination. Get a fresh certified copy from the registrar.
Spelling mistakes
Get any error corrected by the issuing registrar before apostille. MEA cannot apostille a corrected-by-hand certificate.
Marriage certificate apostille by state and city
Wherever your marriage was registered, you can get the certificate apostilled from home. Find a guide for your state or city.
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.
Marriage certificate apostille anywhere in India →Frequently asked questions about marriage certificate apostille
How do I get a marriage certificate apostille in India?
Get the original certificate notarised, authenticated by the SDM New Delhi or your state Home Department, and then apostilled by the Ministry of External Affairs. You can send it to us from anywhere in India and we handle all three steps.
How long does marriage certificate apostille take?
Through the SDM New Delhi route it usually takes 2 to 3 working days. Through the state Home Department route it takes 25 days or more, depending on the state.
What documents are needed for marriage certificate apostille?
The original marriage certificate and clear passport copies, first and last page, of both the husband and the wife.
What is the fee for marriage certificate apostille?
Our all-inclusive charge is ₹1,500 to ₹2,500 per certificate, depending on the route. It covers government fees, processing and tracked return courier.
Can an online marriage certificate be apostilled?
Yes. Marriage certificates downloaded from a state government portal can be apostilled, as long as they carry the registrar's digital signature or verification details.
Can a Nikahnama be apostilled?
Yes. A Nikahnama can be apostilled. Some countries also ask for the marriage to be registered with the state, so check with the destination authority first.
Can a temple or Arya Samaj marriage certificate be apostilled?
Usually only after the marriage is registered with the government Registrar of Marriages. A certificate issued only by a temple or society is often refused.
Is a marriage certificate apostille valid in the UAE or Qatar?
No. The UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Egypt are not Hague Convention members, so they need marriage certificate attestation with an embassy stamp instead.
Do both husband and wife need to be present?
No. Neither spouse needs to visit any office. Only the original certificate and both passport copies are required.
Does the apostille ever expire?
The apostille itself does not expire, but some foreign authorities only accept marriage certificates or apostilles issued within a recent period. Check the rule of the country you are applying to.
Related guides
Marriage certificate apostille & attestation feesDetailed charges, and attestation for the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Egypt.See fees →
Birth certificate apostilleSpouse and family visas often need birth certificates too.Read the guide →