How to Get a Delhi Marriage Certificate Apostilled

Your marriage certificate is ready, and the visa checklist says “apostilled”. For many couples, this is the moment the paperwork suddenly feels international and confusing. In fact, apostille is a well-defined process run by India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). This guide explains what an apostille is, the steps for a Delhi marriage certificate, what it costs, how long to allow and how to avoid the common delays.

What an apostille is, and why you need it

Countries do not automatically trust each other’s public documents. The Hague Apostille Convention simplifies this: a member country authenticates its own document with an apostille, and other member countries accept it without further legalisation. India has been a member since 2005, and the MEA issues apostilles for Indian documents.

An apostille does not certify the contents of your certificate. It confirms that the signature and seal on it are genuine. That is why the first step is authentication by the authority whose signature the MEA recognises.

Who needs an apostille?

You may need an apostilled marriage certificate for:

• a spouse or partner visa in a Hague Convention country, where the visa authority or a later step asks for it (some visa authorities, such as UKVI and USCIS, do not always insist on an apostille, but other authorities in the same country often do);
• registering your marriage abroad or changing your name with a foreign authority;
• residence permits, social security or tax registrations in many European countries.

If your destination is not a Convention country, you need attestation instead. See attestation vs apostille.

The process for a Delhi marriage certificate

Step 1: Check the certificate

Before anything else, check that names match your passports exactly, and that dates and places are correct. Correcting a certificate after apostille means starting again.

Step 2: State-level authentication

For personal documents not covered by e-Sanad, the document must first be authenticated by the designated authority of the state or union territory that issued it. MEA then legalises the document on the basis of that authority’s signature. Find the right authentication centre for Delhi documents before you start.

Step 3: Deposit with the outsourced agency

MEA does not accept documents from individuals. Deposit through MEA’s authorised outsourced service provider, with:

• the original certificate (or a true copy, as accepted);
• a photocopy of the certificate;
• a photocopy of the applicant’s passport.

Since 2019, services have been decentralised to Branch Secretariats and Regional Passport Offices in several cities, so you may not need to go through Delhi specifically.

Step 4: Collect the apostilled certificate

After MEA has apostilled the certificate, you collect it from the agency. The apostille is usually a sticker or stamp with a unique number on the back of the document.

Costs

Item	Cost
MEA apostille	₹50 per document
Outsourced agency service fee	₹90 per document
Scanning fee	₹3 per page
State authentication	As charged by the state authority, if any
Courier, if used	Variable

Postal orders are not accepted for MEA fees.

How long does it take?

MEA does not publish fixed timelines. In practice, plan for at least one to two weeks from the certificate being issued to holding the apostilled certificate, including state authentication. Allow more in busy periods and if you are relying on courier.

e-Sanad

e-Sanad is MEA’s online service for verification and attestation of certain documents. Where a document issuer is integrated with e-Sanad, part of the process can be done online. Check whether your certificate is eligible; if not, the manual process above applies.

Apostille and translations

If the destination country requires the certificate in its own language, you will need a certified translation. Some countries accept a translation by a sworn translator in that country; others want the translation done in India and apostilled. Ask the receiving authority before translating. See translating your marriage certificate for abroad.

Apostille checklist

• Certificate checked against both passports
• Destination confirmed as a Hague Convention country
• State authentication completed
• Original certificate, one photocopy and a passport photocopy ready
• Outsourced agency appointment or deposit booked
• Fees ready: ₹50 MEA, ₹90 agency, ₹3 per page scanning
• Courier or collection arranged if you are flying out

What the receiving country will check

Once apostilled, your certificate is usually checked for three things abroad: that the apostille number is genuine, that the names match the passports in the application, and that the certificate is legible and complete. Many countries let officials verify apostilles online. Keep a colour scan of both sides of the apostilled certificate, because some online visa systems ask you to upload it.

Common mistakes

• Applying directly at MEA, instead of through the outsourced agency.
• Skipping state authentication, which causes the deposit to be rejected.
• Apostilling a certificate with errors; correct first.
• Leaving it until the week of the flight.
• Not checking whether the destination needs apostille or attestation.
• Submitting a photocopy for apostille; MEA does not legalise photocopies.

A planning timeline

When	What
Day 0	Certificate downloaded and checked
Days 1–5	State authentication
Days 5–10	Deposit with outsourced agency for apostille
Days 10–14	Collect apostilled certificate
Day 15+	Translation (if required), then visa application

Worked example: moving to Spain

Nikita registered her marriage in Delhi in January and was moving to Spain, where local authorities asked for an apostilled certificate. After checking the certificate against both passports, she had it authenticated at state level, deposited it with the MEA’s outsourced agency with copies and her passport copy, paid ₹50 to MEA and the agency’s ₹90 plus scanning fee, and collected it a little over a week later.

Worked example: certificate with a spelling error

Arjun’s certificate spelt his surname “Malhotara”. He applied for correction first, received the corrected certificate and then started the apostille process, rather than apostilling the incorrect certificate and having it questioned at the embassy.

Key terms explained

• Apostille: an authentication certificate recognised by Hague Convention countries.
• MEA: India’s Ministry of External Affairs, which issues apostilles.
• State authentication: authentication by the designated state or UT authority before MEA apostille.
• Outsourced agency: the service provider authorised by MEA to collect and return documents.
• e-Sanad: MEA’s online document verification and attestation service.

One-line takeaway

Check the certificate, authenticate it at state level, deposit it through MEA’s outsourced agency, and allow at least one to two weeks.

Let us handle the apostille

WedProof manages state authentication, MEA apostille through the authorised agency and courier, so your certificate is ready for the visa without you queuing. Use the form on this page for a free check.