How Can You Apostille Your Documents

A crucial prerequisite for applying for a visa or OCI card is document attestation. An official certificate known as an apostille is used to confirm the validity of a public authority's seal, stamp, or signature on a document. It facilitates the legalization process, ensuring that your document is accepted in nations that have ratified the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention. As an Indian national living abroad, you will require an apostille birth certificate in order to apply for an OCI card in the United States.

Mandatory Documents for an Indian Passport

Birth Certificate: A copy of the birth certificate, if you were born in the USA. Along with the apostille stamp, it should have the following things on it:
- Parent's Name
- Date of Birth
- Nationality
Proof of Marital Status (Married/Divorced/Widow)
- Copy of marriage certificate if married
- A photocopy of the divorce decree if divorced
- Death certificate copy, if the spouse is no more
Marriage certificate of parents

How to Apply for Apostille Services

Two federal agencies in the US are responsible for issuing apostille certificates. First, the State Secretary affixes the apostille stamp to state-issued documents, and then the US Department of State (USDOS) affixes the apostille certificate to federal government-issued documents. Therefore, you should take into account the official agency issued your marriage or birth certificate when requesting apostille services in the United States. Going forward, the following is the process for obtaining an apostille certificate for your OCI application in the United States:

Processing Time for Apostille Certificate

The processing time for an apostille certificate is determined by the document's issuing authority. In the United States, apostille certificates are often issued by the federal government in 6–8 weeks and by state officials in 4–14 working days. However, the kind of document, the service being used (rapid or normal), and the volume of applications may all affect the processing time.

Why Apostille is Necessary for OCI

As previously stated, an apostille is a means of verifying the legitimacy, accuracy, and dependability of a document issued by the government. In all Hague nations, any document bearing an apostille stamp is legally binding. Therefore, the apostille stamp on your marriage and birth certificates attests to the document's authenticity when you filed for an OCI card in the US. 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.