Difference between Attestation and Apostille
Posted on October 29, 2025
When it comes to using Indian documents abroad, whether for studies, work, business, or family matters, two terms often come up: Apostille and Attestation. While they sound different, both fall under the broader umbrella of legalization. Apostille is a type of attestation/legalization, but they’re not the same in the Indian documentation process.
Confused? Let’s break it down.
Apostille: Part of the Hague Convention
An Apostille is a special type of authentication used between countries that are part of the Hague Convention of 1961.
Think of it as a simplified form of legalization. Instead of getting multiple stamps from different authorities, you receive a single sticker (called an apostille) issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in India. This is enough for your document to be accepted in any Hague Convention member country (120+ countries).
Examples of countries that accept apostille: France, Germany, South Korea, Netherlands, Australia, South Africa, and most of Europe.
So if you’re going to one of these countries, you usually don’t need embassy attestation—just an MEA apostille, and you’re set.
Attestation: For Non-Hague Countries
Attestation, on the other hand, generally refers to a multi-step process. Your document first goes through State-level authentication or SDM Delhi, then MEA attestation, and finally Embassy attestation. This is the route required for countries that are not part of the Hague Convention, like the UAE, China, Qatar, Kuwait, Vietnam, and others.
So, What’s the Key Difference?
– Apostille is a category of attestation, but only valid between Hague Convention countries.
– Attestation is the broader, more detailed process used for non-Hague countries.
– Both serve the same purpose: to prove your Indian documents are authentic for use abroad.
– Apostille is simple and single-step. Attestation is layered and usually involves embassy visits.
If you’re unsure what your destination country requires, just ask us. At Global ACE Experts, we specialize in Apostille, Embassy Attestation, and Translation Services— all under one roof.
