MEA attestation
What is MEA Attestation?
MEA stands for the Ministry of External Affairs, India's foreign ministry, and MEA attestation is the national step. After your state has attested the document, the MEA confirms the seal of the state, so that the document can be used abroad: as an attestation before the embassy, or as an apostille where the country accepts one. We take your document to the MEA and on to the next office.
- Attestation or apostille
- Fee confirmed before you start
- Updates on WhatsApp
Notice: Trueway provides independent documentation support and is not affiliated with any council, embassy or government authority.
Where the MEA sits
The chain for every kind of document.
What the MEA seal looks like
The back of an attested degree certificate. Number 3 is the MEA: a numbered sticker, the round seal and the signature of the officer.
The Indian seals
View largerNotary seal
A notary public attests the document first: a round seal, the word Attested, an entry number and a signature.
Notary attestationSDM seal
The office of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate adds its seal and signature. For some countries and documents this step is the HRD or the Home Department of the state.
SDM attestationMEA sticker and seal
The Ministry of External Affairs confirms the signature of the SDM: a numbered sticker, the round seal and the signature of the officer.
MEA attestation
Who needs MEA attestation?
Anyone taking an Indian document abroad.
Higher education
Your educational certificates, for admission abroad.
Employment and migration
Your degree and experience certificates, for a work visa or for migration.
A residence visa
Marriage and birth certificates, for a residence or family visa.
How we handle it
Who does what, from your first message to the attested document.
Step 1: Tell us the document and the country
YouWe confirm the offices, the fee and the expected time for your case before you send anything.
Step 2: We collect your documents
TruewayThe original document and a passport copy, at a branch or by courier. We check names, dates and seals before anything is submitted.
Step 3: The state attests it first
AuthorityThe HRD, the Home Department or the SDM attests the document. The MEA takes a document only with the seal of the state.
Step 4: The MEA attests it
AuthorityThe Ministry of External Affairs confirms the signature of the state officer and adds its sticker and seal. Trueway does not control this step. We follow it and send you updates on WhatsApp.
Step 5: The next office, or back to you
TruewayWe take the document on to the next office if you need it, or return it to you at a branch or by courier.
MEA attestation, by country
The countries in Trueway's service list.
MEA attestation for
- United Arab Emirates
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- Oman
- Bahrain
- Kuwait
For Apostille Convention countries
- MEA Apostille
Another country? Ask us: the MEA step is the same, the step after it differs.
Documents required
From Trueway's working checklist. Your exact list is confirmed after your enquiry.
Watch: the attestation process explained
Our team explains the whole chain: notary, state, MEA, apostille and embassy.
Certificate Attestation & Embassy Attestation Explained | Complete Process |MEA, Apostille & Embassy
Trueway International on YouTube · 10 min 13 s. The video loads from YouTube when you press play.
More videos
What does it cost?
Connect with the Trueway team for the fee. It depends on the document, the state that issued it and the country it is for. We confirm it on WhatsApp, together with the expected time, before you decide.
Ask the team for the feeGood to know
After the state, before the embassy
The MEA is the second level: it attests a document only after the state has attested it.
Attestation or apostille
For a country in the Apostille Convention the MEA issues an apostille and no embassy follows. For the others it attests the document and the embassy comes next.
MEA is not MOFA
The MEA is India's ministry. MOFA is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country you are going to.
Guides
The process, explained in full.
- Apostille vs. Attestation—What Is the Difference and When Do You Need Which?
- Embassy Attestation vs. Apostille: Key Differences & When You Need Them
- What is apostille attestation? Complete Guide for Indians
- e-Sanad Apostille in India: Check Eligibility, Apply, and Track Your Document
- Apostille Process in Kerala: Notary, SDM and MEA, Step by Step
Google reviews
What clients say about their attestation
Google reviews that mention attestation or the apostille.
GOPIKA KRISHNAN G
Good service..Thank youTrue way team especially ms.Archana for helping and support throughout my certificate attestation process.
Abishek S Kumar
Thank you senior customer relations manager of trueway international Mary Jami mam for helping me getting my Saudi PCC and also it's MOFA Apostilation. Very very helpful.
Adv. Stephy Walter
I had a very smooth experience with Trueway International for my certificate attestation. Special thanks to Mary Jemi for her support and guidance throughout the process. Everything was handled quickly and professionally. Highly recommended!
Reviews from Google, shown as written by the reviewers.Read all reviews on Google
Got questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers about MEA attestation.
What is the full form of MEA?
MEA stands for the Ministry of External Affairs, the Government of India's ministry for foreign relations. In attestation, the MEA is the national step: after the state (the HRD, the Home Department or the SDM) has attested your document, the MEA confirms the state's seal so that the document can be used abroad, as an attestation or as an apostille.
What is MEA attestation?
The Ministry of External Affairs of India confirms the seal of the state on your document, so that the document can be used in another country. It is the second step, after the state attestation.
What are the steps before and after the MEA?
Before it, the state attests the document: the HRD for an educational certificate, the Home Department or the SDM for a personal one. After it comes the embassy of the country, and its MOFA where the country asks for it. With an apostille no embassy follows.
Which documents are needed for MEA attestation?
The original document, already attested by the state, and a copy of your passport.
What is the difference between MEA and MOFA?
The MEA is the Ministry of External Affairs of India. MOFA is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country you are going to, which adds its own stamp where that country asks for it.
Is HRD attestation the same as MEA attestation?
No. HRD attestation is the state-level step. MEA attestation is the national step that follows it.
Does MEA attestation expire?
It has no fixed validity. The office or the country that receives the document decides how recent it has to be, so check with them.
How long does MEA attestation take?
It depends on the document, the state that issued it and the country it is for. We tell you the expected time for your case before you start, and send updates on WhatsApp.
What does MEA attestation cost?
Connect with the Trueway team on WhatsApp. The fee depends on the document, the state that issued it and the country it is for, and we confirm it before you decide.
Is Trueway part of the HRD, the MEA or an embassy?
No. Trueway provides independent documentation support and is not affiliated with any council, embassy or government authority.
Need MEA attestation? Tell us the document
We reply on WhatsApp with the steps and the fee.