Every apostille the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issues — whether it’s called a “regular” apostille or an “e-Apostille (QR)” — is a physical stamp affixed to your physical document. That part never changes. The only real difference between the two is whether MEA also prints a QR code and a unique verification ID on it.

Regular Apostille vs e-Apostille (QR)

  • Regular Apostille (no QR): MEA’s physical stamp on your document. No QR code, no unique verification ID. To verify it, a recipient has to contact the issuing authority directly.
  • e-Apostille (QR): The same physical MEA stamp, plus a QR code and a unique verification ID. A recipient can check that ID online, in seconds, without contacting anyone.

Neither version is “digital-only” — both are physically stamped documents. The QR version just adds an extra, faster way to prove it’s genuine.

What is e-Sanad?

e-Sanad is MEA’s official digital platform for issuing and verifying apostilled and attested Indian documents. It’s the system behind the QR code: when MEA processes an e-Apostille, e-Sanad generates the verification ID that gets printed on the document, and it hosts the public e-Register where anyone can check that ID.

Not every document goes through e-Sanad

e-Sanad support varies by document type, issuing university/board, and destination requirements. We confirm whether your specific document qualifies for the e-Apostille (QR) route, or whether a regular apostille is the better fit, after a quick eligibility check.

How a Recipient Verifies Your Document

  1. They locate the Apostille/Attestation number printed alongside the QR code on your document.
  2. They open MEA’s e-Register verification page and enter that number plus a captcha.
  3. The e-Register confirms whether the number matches a genuine apostille MEA issued — no login required.

Live e-Register pages: and . Both ask for the document’s own ID/number — there’s no public sample document to browse; you’ll need the number printed on your specific apostille.

Which One Should You Choose?

  • Pick e-Apostille (QR) if your destination — a university, employer, immigration office, or consulate — accepts digital/online verification. It’s faster for them to confirm and easier for you to share a copy in the meantime.
  • Pick the regular apostille if the receiving authority insists on physical-only inspection with no online lookup step.

This is the same guidance we give on every VerifiedApostille service page’s “Original vs Copy” section — when in doubt, follow the recipient’s written checklist, and we’ll confirm the right route for your document before you pay.

Learn More

Not sure which route your document needs? with a scan and your destination’s checklist — we’ll confirm Regular vs e-Apostille (QR) before you proceed.