Apostille Price in India — What It Really Costs
Getting a document apostilled in India can feel pricey and confusing. You’ll often see quotes that look much higher than the official MEA fee of ₹50 or ₹90 per document.
Why is there such a difference in cost?
In short, agencies include charges for notary, pre-attestation (Notary/SDM/HRD/CoC) required for MEA apostille submission, as well as additional fees for handling and logistics.
Not sure which pre-attestation you need? See our guide: HRD vs SDM vs Home Dept vs CoC, for the MEA apostille of your document .
This page explains every component and shows realistic totals you can expect.
Official MEA Apostille Fee
- MEA government fee: ₹50 / ₹90 per document (category-dependent)
- This is only the government fee for issuing the apostille. It does not include Notary, SDM/HRD/CoC, agency handling, or courier.
A fee of Rs 50 is payable for Apostille of document. (W.e.f 21 December 2016, payment by means of postal orders has been discontinued.) Normal Attestation is done free of cost.
The fee chargeable by the outsourced agencies per document for its collection and delivery for Apostille/normal attestation by MEA will be Rs. 84/- (Service Fee) and Rs 3 per page (Scanning Fee).
Additional Components of Apostille Pricing
When agencies quote ₹1,700-₹6,000 (or more) per document, they’re usually bundling steps beyond the MEA fee:
- Notary attestation: starts around ₹100 (varies by office & doc type). Some centers list ~₹160/doc.
- State/Home Dept (“State attestation”): ~₹500 - ₹6,750+ (varies by State).
- HRD (education): ~₹2,500 - ₹24,000 depending on State/university verification. Even on e-Sanad, some universities charge separate genuineness (often ₹500-₹4,500).
- SDM attestation: ~₹500 - ₹2,500 for verification/service in many places; packaged Delhi SDM routes are often quoted around ₹4,110.
- Chamber of Commerce (CoC) attestation - commercial docs: now commonly ₹400-₹450 per page (attested page count).
- Professional handling: document checks, forms, queues, status updates, GST.
- Courier / pickup & return: varies by location/urgency.
Prices above are indicative and can change by provider, city, workload, and taxes.
Last checked: 28 Sep 2025
To avoid confusion, Easyapotille bundles all the processes [Notary + SDM (Delhi) + MEA Apostille + Logistics] for ₹2,000 and offers discounts for multiple documents.
Quick Price Table (India)
| Component / Service | Typical Price (INR) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MEA government fee | ₹50 / ₹90 | Official MEA charge |
| Notary (true copy / affidavit) | ~ ₹160 to 1000 | Per document (common listing) |
| State/Home Dept attestation | ₹500 - ₹6,750+ | Varies by State |
| HRD attestation | ₹1,500 - ₹24,000 | Depends on State/university |
| SDM attestation (Delhi SDM) | ₹500 - ₹4,110 | District SDM pre-auth |
| Chamber of Commerce (CoC) | ₹450 - ₹1000 | Commercial pre-auth |
| Door pickup & return | ₹800 - ₹ 1100 | Serviceable locations only |
EasyApostille one-price option
- Bundle: Notary + SDM (Delhi) + MEA Apostille + logistics
- Price: ₹2,000 per document
- Discounts: 5-10% for multiple docs
- HRD / CoC: quoted separately if your case needs them
Why choose EasyApostille (₹2,000 all-inclusive SDM bundle)
We optimize the entire chain—Notary → SDM (Delhi) → MEA Apostille—by coordinating submissions through MEA-authorized outsourced partner centers. That means fewer trips, fewer surprises, and a consistent, standards-based outcome.
What you get for ₹2,000 per document
- Notary attestation (true copy/affidavit as applicable)
- SDM pre-attestation (Delhi SDM)
- MEA Apostille (Sticker/e-Apostille as applicable)
- Premium return to your address in serviceable locations (Pickup available in many locations for an extra charge)
- Status updates (WhatsApp/email) + clear, itemized invoice
- 5-10% multi-document discount applied automatically
HRD/CoC when needed: If your case requires HRD (education) or Chamber of Commerce (commercial), we confirm the requirement first and add that piece at actuals—only after your approval.
How we make it easier (and more reliable)
- Route check before you pay - Send a scan + destination checklist; we confirm original vs copy and SDM vs HRD vs CoC.
- Seal-ready prep - We verify names/dates, add affidavits if needed, and make sure Notary/SDM seals are legible (name, reg. no., date, place).
- MEA-authorized counters - Submissions/collections move through authorized partner centers, keeping the process standardized.
- Fewer touchpoints - One pickup, one return. You don’t shuttle between offices.
- Transparent pricing - No hidden add-ons; anything extra (like HRD/CoC or out-of-coverage courier) is quoted up front.
How to start (2 minutes)
- Share a scan of your document and the recipient’s instructions.
- Get a written route + quote (we won’t proceed without your okay).
- Schedule pickup, track progress, and receive your apostilled document back—securely packed.
Want a one-line figure for your case? Send your scan + destination. We’ll reply with the exact route and price (and tell you if the cheaper e-Apostille on a copy is possible).
Provider / University Examples (indicative only)
Note: The figures below are examples to help you budget. They can change without notice—please reconfirm at the time of submission.
Last checked: 28 Sep 2025
A) Outsourced-center examples
Data from VFS Attestation Service webpage accessed on Sep 28, 2025.
| Item | Example fee (INR) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Notary | 160 | Per document (commonly listed) |
| State attestation - Mumbai | 3,600 | State/Home Dept counter |
| State attestation - Tamil Nadu | 6,570 | State/Home Dept counter |
| SDM (Delhi SDM) | 4,110 | Sub-Divisional Magistrate attestation |
| HRD (Andhra University) | 6,160 | RAC/HRD route for education docs |
| HRD (Jharkhand universities) | 24,630 | RAC/HRD; varies by university & verification |
B) University e-Sanad / verification examples
| University / Board | Typical verification fee (INR) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham | 500 | e-Sanad/degree verification fee (Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham) |
| Others vary | 500 - 4,500 | Many universities/boards charge genuineness even when using e-Sanad |
Why do quotes vary?
- Document type: personal vs educational vs commercial.
- Route: HRD (education), SDM/Home (personal), CoC (commercial) change both price and timeline.
- Original vs copy: e-Apostille on scans can reduce logistics; Sticker on originals needs shipping.
- City & urgency: local workloads and courier distances matter.
- Number of documents: most providers offer tiered discounts.
Is e-Apostille (QR) cheaper?
The MEA fee is similar to Sticker. e-Apostille can lower logistics (no physical shipping) when scans are accepted.
If your case needs university/board genuineness or State/SDM/CoC first, those costs still apply. Some recipients also insist on Sticker or originals—always follow their written checklist.
Can I pay only the MEA fee?
If your case truly needs only the MEA step: you pay the MEA govt fee (₹50/₹90) + a modest service charge (₹450) + any logistics (if applicable).
Most real-world cases, though, require at least Notary and often SDM/HRD/CoC before MEA.
Discounts for multiple documents
- 2-5 documents: 5% off
- 5+ documents: 10% off
Applied per document and covers Notary + (SDM/HRD/CoC) + MEA. Your final quote reflects these savings.
Bottom line
Understanding the components—MEA fee, pre-attestation, handling, and logistics—helps you read quotes confidently and avoid surprises.
If you’d like a single, transparent price for your exact case, share your document type and the recipient’s checklist. EasyApostille will confirm the correct route and send you a clear, no-pressure quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does MEA charge for apostille in India?
MEA govt fee is ₹50/₹90 per document (category-dependent). Outsourced-center charging ₹84 per document + ₹3/page scanning fee.
What exactly is covered in the ₹2,000 EasyApostille bundle?
Notary + SDM (Delhi) + MEA Apostille + premium pickup/return + status updates. If HRD/CoC are required for your case, we add them at actuals after we confirm the route.
Why do agency quotes look higher than the MEA fee?
Quotes usually include the pre-attestation your document needs (Notary/SDM/HRD/CoC), outsourced-center handling, professional checks, GST, and courier. That's why realistic totals often land between ₹1,500 and ₹6,000+ depending on route.
Is e-Apostille cheaper than Sticker apostille?
MEA fee is similar. e-Apostille can reduce logistics when scans are accepted. If originals and SDM/HRD are required, those steps drive the total regardless of Sticker vs e-Apostille.
Can I do only the MEA apostille with SDM-attested documents?
Yes. You pay the MEA govt fee (₹50/₹90) + our MEA handling (₹450) + any logistics (if applicable).
Do you offer discounts for multiple documents?
Yes—typical slabs are 5% off for 2-5 documents and 10% off for 5+ documents, applied per document for bundle orders. Your final quote reflects these savings.
