An Apostille is a legal document that legalizes official and copied documents in nations (countries) that recognize the Apostille stamp under the Apostille Convention 1961.
It is an attestation required for travel to Hague member countries and accepted in all of them. As a result, once your documents have been apostilled, there is no need for separate attestation to travel to any of the Hague member countries.
Apostille attestation is performed for personal documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, and so on, as well as educational documents.
Apostille attestation of a marriage certificate is required if you are traveling to another country to be with or accompany your spouse. If you are relocating to a Hague member country, you must have your marriage certificate, Apostille.
How to get a Marriage Certificate Apostille
When a marriage document receives an Apostille and is recognized, it becomes legal for use in that country and does not require any further laws unless unusual conditions exist. Other common reasons why a government may request an Apostille on a marriage certificate include:
- relocating to that country
- Seeking employment in that country
- Inheritance purpose
- Spouse’s death
- Interest or ownership of property in that country
- Dual nationality
- When it comes to property ownership,
- To apply for a dependent spouse visa
All the countries signatory to the Apostille (Hague Convention 1961) will demand an Apostille for any of the reasons listed above. If the seeking country is not a signatory, extra legislation will be required in addition to the marriage certificate Apostille.
Process of Marriage Certificate Apostille
The marriage certificate is initially attested by the appropriate state’s State Home Department. You can also get the marriage certificate attestation from a Sub-Divisional Magistrate. The certificate must then be certified by the Ministry of External Affairs. If you are heading to a Hague member country, you will need MEA Apostille Attestation. Finally, after you arrive in the destination country, you must obtain the MOFA attestation.
Some other considerations about Marriage Certificate Apostille
It cannot be overstated that documents having official signatures, such as marriage certificates, must be original to get an Apostille from the appropriate states/embassies. Any copies of the marriage certificate will not be allowed since the signatures on the copies cannot be considered authentic.
If you need to travel overseas for education, work, travel, or citizenship, you will need to provide an Apostille for various documents, including your marriage certificate. As a result, you must rigorously adhere to the criteria for a marriage certificate, Apostille.