India belongs to the Apostille Convention, but Germany objected to India joining, so an MEA apostille has no legal effect in Germany. For most visas you submit originals; for degrees anabin or ZAB is what counts; and for marriage or citizenship cases the German authority may order a document verification through the German mission in India.
India joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 2005. Germany lodged an objection, so the convention does not apply between the two countries. The German missions in India state this on their website. They also stopped legalising Indian documents in 2000 because many documents turned out to be wrong in form or content.
So a German registry office (Standesamt), court or Ausländerbehörde does not have to accept an MEA apostille as proof. Instead, if it doubts a document, it can ask the German embassy or consulate in India for a document verification (Urkundenüberprüfung). A local lawyer appointed by the mission checks the entry at the issuing office in India.
An apostille is still useful if a document goes to a country where the convention does apply with India, such as France, the Netherlands or Spain. Some German universities and private employers also ask for one out of habit. It does no harm, but it is rarely required.
| Situation | What Germany needs |
|---|---|
| Blue Card or work visa | Original degree and transcripts, anabin printout or ZAB statement |
| Student visa | APS certificate, admission letter, blocked account. APS checks your Indian education documents |
| Spouse or family reunion visa | Original marriage certificate. Apostille or legalisation only if the marriage took place outside India and Germany |
| Birth certificate for a child's visa or Kindergeld | Original. Translation if not in English or German |
| Marrying in Germany | Standesamt list of documents. Often a verification and an exemption from the certificate of no impediment at the Higher Regional Court |
| Naturalisation | Birth and marriage certificates. The office decides whether to order verification |
Use our document checklist generator for a full list for your visa.
You cannot order a verification yourself. The German authority asks the mission responsible for the state where your document was issued, not where you live now:
The cost is charged per application, not per document. The Mumbai consulate listed INR 45,000 in its June 2025 sheet. The German authority must confirm the costs will be covered, and normally passes them on to you. Allow several weeks to a few months. Make sure every document matches your passport spelling first: a mismatch is the most common reason a verification fails.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) does not accept documents from individuals. You go through its authorised outsourcing agencies. BLS International renewed its MEA contract in December 2025, covering centres including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Kochi and Jaipur.
e-Sanad (esanad.nic.in) handles verification and apostille online for documents from participating universities and boards. The institution confirms the document digitally, and you receive an e-apostille. Check on the portal whether your university is connected before choosing the paper route.
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German missions in India accept documents issued in English. For an English document they do not want an English translation, and normally no German one either. For documents in Hindi, Marathi, Tamil or other languages, get a translation into German or English, as the receiving office specifies. In Germany, registry offices and courts usually want a German translation by a court-sworn translator (öffentlich bestellter und beeidigter Übersetzer). Translate only after any attestation, so stamps and seals are translated too.
No. Germany objected to India's accession to the Apostille Convention, so an Indian apostille has no legal effect there. German authorities can order a document verification through the German mission instead.
No. Present your original degree with an anabin printout showing H+ and 'entspricht', or a ZAB statement of comparability.
Only if the marriage took place outside India and Germany. For a marriage registered in India, the German missions ask for the original certificate and copies.
The MEA charges ₹50 per document, plus the authorised agency's service and courier fees. State attestation fees vary by state.
The MEA's online portal for verifying and apostilling documents, used when your university or board is connected to it. It avoids sending paper originals to an agency.
Checked against these sources on 14 October 2026. Rules and fees change; confirm with the authority before you apply.
