Comparison Between Apostille and Attestation of documents?

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.