Legalization is a process of authenticating the documents issued in one country and intended for use in another country in order to be recognized as a valid in foreign country. In simpler terms Legalization / Attestation is a process of validating of documents. The process of legalization involves various seals being placed directly on the document. The number and type of authentication depends on the nature of the document and whether or not the foreign country is a party to the multilateral treaty (i.e., “The Hague Convention”) on 'legalization' of documents.

Type of Documents to be attested
For people applying for work permits and dependents staying overseas for longer duration, following documents are required to be attested:

• Educational Certificates
• Birth Certificate
• Police Clearance Certificate
• Marriage Certificate
• Medical Certificate
• Experience Certificate
• Curriculum Vitae

For Companies pursuing commercial activities out of India, following commercial documents are required to be attested:

• Power of attorney
• Incorporation Certificate
• Articles of Incorporation
• Deeds
• Trademarks
• Patents
• Other legal paper subject to requirements

Other certificates which need to be legalized depending on the purpose would include adoption papers, death certificates, school leaving certificates and other affidavits.
The lists given above are comprehensive but not exhaustive and/or other documents may be required to be attested depending on the purpose of visit and the country to be visited.

Process of Attestation
For countries which are not part of multilateral treaty like The Hague convention,1961, the procedure is as follows

Personal Documents and Educational Documents
1. First Level authentication from Home Department/General Administration Department/HRD of the respective state from where they are issued
2. Second level authentication from Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi
3. Third and final level of authentication from the respective embassy/consulate of the country where they are required to be submitted

Commercial Documents
1. First level authentication from Chamber of Commerce of the area where the company is registered
2. Second level authentication from Ministry of External affairs in New Delhi
3. Final authentication from the respective embassy/consulate of the country where they are required to be submitted

For countries which are part of multilateral treaty like The Hague convention,1961, the procedure is as follows

Apostille -
If a document is to be submitted in the country which is part of the multilateral treaty, The Hague Convention 1961, then separate embassy attestation is not required for these countries. Once the document has been authenticated by the respective State department/Chamber of Commerce, it will be further authenticated by Ministry of External Affairs and then can be submitted directly to the immigration department of the respective country.

Click here to view list of countries which are part of Hague Convention.

Please note Ministry of External Affairs only attests a document once it is authenticated/attested by the State Department or the Chamber of Commerce from where it is issued. MEA will never attest a document directly without the first level authentication. The only exception to this is Police clearance certificate, if issued from passport office and any birth certificate/marriage certificate issued outside India provided it is authenticated/issued by Indian High Commission in that particular country