Common Frequently Asked Questions

An apostille stamp does not come with an expiry date. It has an issuance date, but it does not expire or run out. In many cases, an apostille certificate can be accepted at any time after it was issued by the government authority.

Yes, an apostille is valid in the USA. The United States is also among the 124 countries that are part of the Hague Convention. So, documents that have an apostille stamp on them are accepted in the US.

To get a document apostilled in the United States, first, you need to identify the issuing authority. After that, you need to gather the required documents, like the original papers you need to apostilled, fill out the application form and cover letter, then submit them and pay the applicable fee. Once you're done with all this, within the given processing time, you will get the apostille stamp on your required documents.

No, U.S. embassies and consulates do not have the right to issue an apostille certificate. The apostille stamp is issued by designated authorities in the country. In the US, this right is given to Stated Secretary and the federal government.

To get an apostille on your birth certificate in India, first, you need to get your certificate notarised by a public notary, then get it attested by the GAD or the Home Department. After that, submit your document to MEA for an apostille certificate.

Yes, if the birth certificate or marriage certificate is issued outside India, then it needs to be apostilled for the OCI application. The apostille certificate should be issued by the country officials where they were issued.

You can apostille your personal documents, like marriage or birth certificates, power of attorney, affidavits, etc., and educational documents like diplomas, matriculation, degree, and secondary level certificates, etc.

A total of 124 countries that are part of the Hague Convention need an apostille certificate to verify the authenticity of the document. These nations recognize the certificate as a simplified form of verification for public documents issued by government officials, eliminating the requirement of further legalization. Some of the countries that are part of the Hague Convention include the US, India, the UK, Greece, Germany, Oman, Switzerland, and more.

The key purpose of the apostille is to check the originality, authenticity, and correctness of any document that is issued by the government. Any paper that has an apostille stamp is accepted as a legal document in all countries that are part of the Hague Convention.

An apostille is an official certificate that provides a document with international legality. In addition, you can use the document in the countries that are part of the Hague Convention. Whereas, a notary is an individual who checks the legal validity of a signature in a document issued by government officials.

Since the state itself authenticates the documents, the process is generally faster. You can expect to get the apostille certificate in the US in between 4 to 14 working days, based on the processing time of the respective state official that grants the apostille.

In the USA, the State Secretary issued the apostille stamp on the document granted by the state, and the US Department of State (USDOS) grants the apostille certificate to the documents issued by the federal government.

An Aadhaar card never expires and is valid for a lifetime. Once you issue the Aadhaar number, it remains active permanently.

To get an Aadhaar card, you have to submit some documents to prove your identity, address, and date of birth. The documents required are a birth certificate, a passport, a PAN card, or other government-issued photo IDs such as a voter ID or driving license. You may also have to submit proof of address, like a utility bill, bank statement, or any other document showing your current residence.

No, legally, a person cannot have two Aadhaar cards. As per the rules of the UIDAI, an individual is prohibited from having more than one Aadhaar number. In case multiple Aadhaar cards are found for the same person, the UIDAI may take serious action and consider it fraud or illegal.

Yes, NRIs can get an Aadhaar card if they fulfill the requirements of having a valid Indian passport and residing in India for at least 182 days within the preceding 12 months.

There are four primary types of Aadhaar cards, which are: the Aadhaar letter, mAadhaar, eAadhaar, and the Aadhaar PVC card. All four types are equally valid and recognized by the UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India).

Any resident of India, including citizens of India and certain foreign nationals, is eligible for an Aadhaar card. It includes children and newborns, along with NRIs (Non-Resident Indians) who fulfill specific residency requirements.

No, foreigners do not need an Aadhaar card in India unless they are resident foreign nationals who have stayed in India for 182 days or more in the 12 months in advance to their application.

To download and get a digital copy of your Aadhar card (e-Aadhaar) online, you need to visit the UIDAI website and search for the "Download Aadhaar option. You will have to use your Aadhaar number, enrollment ID to verify your identity using an OTP, which will be sent to your registered mobile number. Once it gets verified, you can download your e-Aadhaar as a PDF.