Criteria
Apostille
Attestation
Purpose
Certifies the authenticity of public documents for international use in Hague Convention countries.
Validates documents for international use in non-Hague countries.
Applicable Countries
Over 120 countries that are signatories to the Hague Convention (e.g., USA, UK, Australia, and most of Europe).
Countries not part of the Hague Convention (e.g., UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait).
Issuing Authority
Issued by designated authorities in the country where the document originated (e.g., Ministry of External Affairs in India).
Generally requires verification at multiple levels—state, central, and the embassy of the destination country.
Recognition
Directly recognized in all member countries of the Hague Convention without needing further attestation.
Requires further verification by the destination country’s embassy or consulate.
Process
Typically involves a single-step process of obtaining an apostille from MEA.
Involves multiple stages, Attestation from Ministry of External Affairs, and then the foreign embassy.
Validity
Accepted in all Hague Convention countries without further authentication.
Valid only after the embassy of the destination country attests the document.
Also Read: What is Apostille of documents?
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Certifies the authenticity of public documents for international use in Hague Convention countries.
Criteria
Apostille
Attestation
Purpose
Certifies the authenticity of public documents for international use in Hague Convention countries.
Validates documents for international use in non-Hague countries.
Applicable Countries
Over 120 countries that are signatories to the Hague Convention (e.g., USA, UK, Australia, and most of Europe).
Countries not part of the Hague Convention (e.g., UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait).
Issuing Authority
Issued by designated authorities in the country where the document originated (e.g., Ministry of External Affairs in India).
Generally requires verification at multiple levels—state, central, and the embassy of the destination country.
Recognition
Directly recognized in all member countries of the Hague Convention without needing further attestation.
Requires further verification by the destination country’s embassy or consulate.
Process
Typically involves a single-step process of obtaining an apostille from MEA.
Involves multiple stages, Attestation from Ministry of External Affairs, and then the foreign embassy.
Validity
Accepted in all Hague Convention countries without further authentication.
Valid only after the embassy of the destination country attests the document.
Also Read: What is Apostille of documents?