The SARTHI portal (e-Sanad and SARTHI integrated platform) is MEA's online system for apostille submissions. It changed the apostille process from a physical-only system to a partly digital one in 2024. This guide explains how SARTHI works and how NRIs can use it from abroad.
What is the SARTHI portal?
SARTHI stands for Self Apostille and Reach-out to High commissions for Indians, an integrated portal of the Ministry of External Affairs at sarthi.mea.gov.in.
It allows submission of Indian public documents (including birth certificates) for apostille or attestation online, with the physical document handover happening through MEA's authorised outsourced agencies — currently BLS International, Alankit, IVS Global, and Premier Visa.
How does SARTHI portal work step-by-step?
The SARTHI workflow:
(1) Create an account at sarthi.mea.gov.in (Indian mobile OTP and email required).
(2) Fill in the application form with document details, applicant details, destination country.
(3) Upload scanned document and ID proof.
(4) Pay the government fee (₹50 per document apostille) via the online gateway.
(5) Receive an appointment slip with a unique reference number.
(6) Submit the physical original document at the chosen authorised agency (BLS, Alankit, etc.) by appointment.
(7) The agency forwards documents to MEA.
(8) MEA verifies and affixes the apostille sticker.
(9) The agency returns the apostilled document to you by post or pickup. Total TAT: 5-10 working days.
Can NRIs use SARTHI portal from abroad?
Partially. You can create an account online from abroad (provided you have an Indian mobile for OTP — or use a relative's number), submit the application and pay the fee online, and have your authorised representative (relative or service provider) attend the physical submission.
What you cannot do remotely:
physically hand over the original document.
Apostille requires the physical original to receive the sticker.
This is why NRIs typically engage a representative in India.
What documents must be uploaded to SARTHI?
SARTHI requires: scanned copy of the document to be apostilled (PDF, under 4 MB); applicant's passport scan; authorisation letter if a representative is submitting on your behalf; representative's ID proof; proof of state-level attestation (SDM or Home Department) — must already be completed before SARTHI submission.
Which authorised agencies handle SARTHI submissions?
Currently four agencies are authorised by MEA: BLS International (multiple cities across India), Alankit Limited (Delhi NCR primarily), IVS Global Services (major metros), Premier Visa (limited cities). Each agency has its own collection centres.
The fee charged by these agencies (separate from the ₹50 government fee) is typically ₹300-700 per document. We coordinate with whichever agency is closest to the source documents.
Are there common errors in SARTHI submissions?
Common SARTHI submission errors: wrong destination country selected; document upload format incorrect (must be PDF, not JPG); mismatch between applicant details on form vs document; skipping state-level attestation before SARTHI submission, leading to rejection; wrong category of document selected ("educational" vs "personal" — birth certificate is personal); payment not completed but appointment booked, invalidating the appointment. We file SARTHI submissions for clients and these errors are eliminated.
How is SARTHI different from the older direct-MEA submission?
Before SARTHI / e-Sanad, NRIs (or their representatives) submitted documents directly to MEA at the CPV Division in Patiala House Court, Delhi. That system was abolished in 2019.
Currently, MEA does not accept direct walk-in submissions. All apostille submissions must go through SARTHI/e-Sanad and the authorised outsourced agencies. This change made the process more organised and trackable, but it requires online filing — which is why having an Indian representative or a professional service is essential for NRIs.
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