Apostille Attestation in Kerala / Kochi
Apostille for kerala/Kochi issued document
Apostille attestation in kerala is a process of legalizing any documents issued in Kerala or India to any other country.
The question is why is it required?
If you are travelling to other countries such as Netherlands or other European countries, The consulate of the country of the country will ask for apostille from ministry of external affairs to Indian/Kochi Issued documents such as Birth certificate, Marriage certificate or commercial certificate.
Consulate of the country you are travelling wants to be sure that all the documents that you submit are original and given from rightful registered organization, This helps them to eliminate applicants with fraud document.
Ministry of external affairs Apostille is highest level of authentication.
How to do apostille attestation in kerala?
There are two ways of doing an apostille
1) Through state authentication.
2) Through sub divisional magistrate
Start Apostille process for your documents by registering below
Apostille Application
Step 1 - Provide applicant details
State authentication
In this type of authentication documents first will be attested by HRD department if the documents are educational or by home Ministry department for personal documents (birth, marriage..)
For state authentication it takes longer time since many government departments are involved.
Government has made regional authentication centers only there you can get the state authentication. even if the documents belong to different city you need to go to these authentication centered only . This is the reason why it takes lot of time to get state authentication
Check here for regional authentication centers
Kochi is a Regional authetication center.
Sub divisional magistrate
On the other hand SDM (Sub divisional magistrate ) Authentication is faster way to get apostille. Here instead of state government SDM will authenticate your documents for apostille.
You can Register for Apostille here.
How ever both the apostille are accepted.
Which is Better? State or SDM authentication
That depends on the country you are travelling and time you have to complete the apostillation process.
If you are travelling to countries listed in Hague nations except Italy and austria it is better to do SDM authentication. For Italy and Austria State authentication is required.
If you are travelling to countries other than listed in Hague nation countries it is better to do State authetication.
If you have lot of time and money, and your documents are from the Regional authentication centers then its better to do state authentication.
What is the validity of the apostille?
All the apostille State or SDM will be 6 months valid so if the apostille is beyond 6 months it needs to be re apostilled.
Documents required to get apostille.
–>Original document that you want to apostille
–> Passport photocopies of the person whose name is mentioned in the document
If an affidavit mentions 10 names we need all 10 people passport photocopies.
You need to register for apostille here That’s it you are on your way to get apostille.
Following are the details an Apostille contains:
- Name of country from which the document was issued.
- Name of the Person to whom document is issued.
- Name of person signing the document.
- Designation of the singed person.
- Place of certification date of certification.
- Number of certificate.
- Seal or stamp of authority issuing certificate.
- Signature of authority issuing certificate.
Steps involved in Apostille
- Registering online for apostille
- Sending the documents for office/or visitting our office to deposit the document
- Online payment for apostille
- Receiving the tracking number for the documents
- Check updates online
- Get emails regarding the apostille status
- Receive / collect the documents after apostille
What happens once I apply for apostille?
Once you apply for apostille we will check the document for authenticity and will check the document with concerned departments for correctness.
if the document submitted to us is proper we will process it further to SDM.
After SDM signs the document it will be processed through MEA for apostille. We will check the details of the apostille itself like your name date and seals. If there is any correction required we will process the document again.