Many people confuse Apostille with Embassy Attestation. While both are forms of document authentication, they serve different purposes and are valid for different countries.
What is Apostille?
Apostille is a simplified international certification under the Hague Convention of 1961. It is issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in India and is recognized by 105+ member countries.
What is Embassy Attestation?
Embassy Attestation is required for countries that are NOT members of the Hague Convention. It involves getting the document attested by the respective Embassy or Consulate of the destination country.
Key Differences
| Feature | Apostille | Embassy Attestation |
|---|---|---|
| Valid For | Hague Convention countries (105+) | Non-Hague countries (UAE, Saudi, Qatar) |
| Issued By | MEA India | Embassy/Consulate |
| Time | 5–7 days | 7–15 days |
| Cost | Lower | Higher (Embassy fees apply) |
Countries Requiring Apostille
Germany, France, USA, UK, Australia, Portugal, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, and 95+ other Hague Convention countries.
Countries Requiring Embassy Attestation
UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and other Gulf nations.
RM Global Apostille handles both services. Get a free consultation today.