Can International documents be attested/apostilled in India?
Posted on October 29, 2025
Many people get confused when it comes to Attestation or Apostille of documents, especially when the document was issued outside India.
Then the Indian agency informs you: “India can’t attest your Internationl document.”
And naturally, you start asking:
“But I’m in India now.”
“But it’s for use in India.”
“But I’m an Indian citizen.”
Fair questions—but here’s the truth: none of these change the rule.
The answer is NO—and here’s why.
Every Country is Responsible for Its Own Documents
Attestation or Apostille is the process of verifying a document’s authenticity so it can be accepted internationally.
But only the country that originally issued the document has the right to verify it.
For example:
- If your document was issued in the UAE, then only UAE authorities can verify it.
- If your certificate came from the UK, it must go through the UK’s process.
India cannot verify or legalize any document that was not issued by an Indian authority.
What Documents Can Be Attested in India?
India can only attest or apostille:
- Documents issued within India—like Indian birth certificates, degrees, marriage certificates, etc.
- Documents issued by an Indian Embassy or Consulate abroad—such as a PCC, birth registration, or any other official Indian document prepared abroad.
If your document does not fall into one of these two categories, India cannot process it.
Why Can’t India Attest a Foreign Document?
Because India didn’t issue it—so it cannot confirm whether it is real or fake.
Just like no country will verify documents it did not create, India also follows international standards.
The Indian government cannot take responsibility for verifying something that belongs to another country’s system.
So What Should You Do?
If you have a foreign-issued document, you must get it attested or apostilled in that same country before using it in India or anywhere else.
Once it’s legalized there, it can then be submitted wherever required—whether in India, abroad, or at an embassy.
Final Note
Always remember:
Only the country of origin has the authority to verify its documents.
Trying to attest a foreign document in India will not work, no matter the purpose.
If your documents are Indian, we – Global ACE Experts can help you with Attestation, Apostille and Translation—professionally and on time.
