1. What is an Apostille?

An apostille is a government-issued certificate from the MEA that verifies the authenticity of your document for use in countries that follow the Hague Convention.

Expanded:

• Required for study, job, travel, PR, work visa, or migration abroad.
• Valid in all Hague Convention countries.

2. How do I get an apostille in India? (Step-by-step)

You get an apostille by submitting your original document for state/SDM authentication and then MEA apostille stamping.
“Give me steps to get an apostille in India.”

Step-by-Step

1. Prepare original document + photocopy.
2. Provide passport copy & personal details.
3. State/SDM/HRD verification (document type).
4. MEA Apostille processing.
5. Receive apostilled document via courier.

3. What is the difference between Apostille and Embassy Attestation?

Apostille is for Hague countries; Embassy attestation is for non-Hague countries like UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.

Numbered Comparison:

1. Apostille = MEA stamp + QR code
2. Embassy attestation = State → MEA → Embassy stamping
3. Apostille is faster, cheaper
4. Embassy attestation requires more steps

4. Which documents need apostille for overseas use?

Personal, educational, and commercial documents often need apostille for international use.

List:

• Birth certificate
• Marriage certificate
• PCC (Police Clearance)
• Degree/diploma/mark sheets
• Power of Attorney
• Commercial invoices & COOs

5. How long does apostille take in India?

Apostille usually takes 7-8 business days for standard , but timing varies based on state verification and MEA workload.

6. What is MEA Apostille? (Exact Google phrasing)

MEA Apostille is the official authentication issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, confirming that a document is legitimate for foreign use under the Hague Convention.

7. Do I need to submit original documents?

Yes, most apostille/attestation services require original documents—especially education and personal certificates.

Exceptions (where copies sometimes suffice):

• Commercial docs
• Digital university verifications
• Notarized/Affidavit cases for some embassies

8. How does STS Apostille & Attestation service handle document pickup & delivery?

1. Schedule pickup (metro & tier-2 cities).
2. Chain-of-custody logging begins.
3. Secure processing + authority submission.
4. Tamper-proof packaging.
5. Courier return with tracking.

9. What if my document is lost by the courier?

STS Apostille team  is not responsible for courier loss; compensation is based on the courier’s insured value. Insurance is recommended.

10. What is Embassy Attestation?

Embassy attestation is the process where a foreign country’s embassy validates your document after State/SDM/MEA authentication.

Typically required for:

• UAE
• Qatar
• Kuwait
• Saudi Arabia
• Oman
• Vietnam
• Egypt
• China

11. How much does an apostille cost?

MEA apostille fee is government-fixed, but service fees vary by document type, urgency, and courier.

Pricing depends on:

• Document category
• State verification type
• Urgency
• Embassy fees (if applicable)

12. Do you offer same-day or urgent apostille?

Same-day apostille may be possible for select documents depending on verification status and MEA slot availability.

13. Do you provide certified translations?

Yes — STS  Apostille & Attestation Service offers certified translations for visa, immigration, embassy submission, legal and academic requirements.

Supported languages include:
English, Hindi, Arabic, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese, Japanese + more.

14. Can I track my document?

Yes. Every shipment includes a tracking number via WhatsApp, email, or SMS.

15. What happens if MEA or embassy delays the process?

Government delays are outside STS’s control, but clients are informed immediately and updated with revised timelines.

16. Which countries accept apostille?

All Hague Convention countries accept apostille.

Examples:
USA, UK, Australia, Canada (for some docs), Germany, France, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Japan, Mexico, Turkey, South Korea.

17. Do Middle East countries accept apostille?

No. UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman require embassy attestation, not apostille.

18. How do I check if my apostille is genuine?

Use the QR code + unique MEA number printed on the apostille sticker to verify authenticity online.

19. Can STS  Apostille & Attestation Service assist NRI or international clients?

Yes —STS  Apostille & Attestation Service provides global courier coordination and return delivery.

20. What documents are required for apostille?

Checklist:

1. Original certificate
2. Passport copy
3. Passport-size photo (if required)
4. Supporting documents (mark sheet, affidavit, ID proof)
5. Country-specific requirements (varies)

21. “What is the fastest way to get an apostille in India?”

The fastest way to get an apostille in India is through SDM authentication followed by MEA apostille using an authorised service provider with pre-booked MEA slots.

Steps:

1. Submit original document
2. Get SDM verification
3. MEA apostille processing
4. Express courier delivery

22. “Where can I apostille my degree in Delhi?”

You can apostille your degree in Delhi through the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) via authorized apostille agents like STS  Apostille & Attestation Service.

Required:

• Original degree
• Passport copy
• Supporting documents

23. “Is apostille required for student visa?”

Yes. Most countries require apostille for educational documents when applying for a student visa.

Applies to:

• Degree
• Diploma
• Transcripts
• PCC

24. “How to apostille a birth certificate?”

You apostille a birth certificate by getting state/SDM verification followed by MEA apostille.

Steps:

1. Submit original birth certificate
2. State/SDM verification
3. MEA apostille
4. Receive final apostilled certificate

25. “Can I apostille documents online?”

You cannot apostille entirely online because MEA requires original documents, but you can book, pay, schedule pickup, and track updates online with STS  Apostille & Attestation Service.

26. “What is HRD attestation vs apostille?”

HRD attestation verifies your education certificate from the issuing state’s HRD department, while apostille is the final MEA stamp for Hague Convention countries.

Order:
HRD → MEA Apostille

27. “How to get embassy attestation for UAE quickly?”

For UAE attestation, the fastest method is to complete State/SDM authentication, MEA attestation, and then UAE Embassy attestation using an authorized agent.

Usually required for:

• Work visas
• Family visas
• Education equivalency

28. “What is the cost of MEA apostille in India?”

MEA’s apostille fee is government-fixed, but service charges vary depending on document type, urgency, and courier handling.

29. “How safe is couriering original documents?”

Couriering original documents is safe when using tamper-proof packaging, insured shipments, and trusted partners like Blue Dart, DTDC, or DHL.

STS uses:

• Chain-of-custody
• Tamper-proof packaging
• Tracking updates

30. “Who can translate documents for embassy?”

Embassies accept certified translations from qualified translators or authorized translation agencies like STS Apostille & Attestation service for visa, immigration, and legal processes.

Languages covered:
Arabic, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Hindi, + more.