So you are finally traveling to your dream country! Have you figured out all the things you need to consider before traveling abroad? Then you must be aware of getting an Apostille for your Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)
The authorities of any country would want those who visit their country to not be involved in any illegal or criminal activity. To prove that, an Indian citizen has to show a police clearance certificate. A Police Clearance Certificate is a document that confirms that a person is not involved in any criminal activity. It is also known as a Good Certificate Conduct. A police clearance can be issued by the regional passport office, police station, or crime branch.
A police clearance certificate is a document that will help prove to the foreign authorities your clean status as an individual. But your document that is issued in India can’t be used abroad until it receives an Apostille.
What does it mean to receive an Apostille on a police clearance certificate?
It means getting your police clearance certificate certified by a reliable authority. It is an important legal formality needed every time a person travels to a Hague Convention country. The Hague Convention of 1961 was called for to facilitate the use of public documents in other countries. Abolishing the traditional methods, a document called Apostille was adopted. According to the convention, every citizen of a member country has to get the Apostille on a document before traveling.
India is also a member of the Apostille convention. Therefore, an Indian citizen has to obtain an Apostille before traveling to a Hague Convention country.
An Apostille helps a document to be verified in a proper manner to be used abroad. Apostille on your document is a kind of proof that you hold original and legal documents. This helps you to use your police clearance certificate without any barriers.
Do you want to know for what purpose you must obtain an Apostille on your police clearance certificate?
The following section will guide you on how you can get the Apostille on your document:What should be kept in mind before obtaining an Apostille?
Before obtaining an Apostille, the following points should be kept in mind:
- An Apostille is issued only on the original documents of a person.
- The country where the document is issued should be a part of the Apostille Convention.
- The country where the document is to be issued should also be a part of the Apostille Convention.
- After receiving an Apostille, there is no further need for verification by the embassy.
If one travels to a non-member country of the convention, then verification by the embassy is needed.
The process through which an Apostille will be issued on a police clearance certificate
- Attestation by Notary
The first step to the Apostille is undertaken by the regional authority. The documents are first verified by the notary. - Attestation by SDM/Home Department
The next step of verification is continued at the state level by the SDM and Home Department. - Apostille by the Ministry of External Affairs
This is the final step in verification. The officials at the Ministry of External Affairs here issue the Apostille stamp on the original document of a person.
The main reasons for obtaining an Apostille
A police clearance certificate is needed for the following reasons:- When applying for permanent residency
- When applying for an employment visa
- When applying for a long-term visa,
- For immigration purposes Does an Apostille expire in any case?
Once an Apostille is issued, it is recognised by all Hague Convention countries. There is usually no expiration date for an Apostille. However, the country where the documents are to be used may request recently certified documents. An Apostille does not expire but may have a time limit on how old it can be.
Can one directly submit a police clearance certificate to the Ministry of External Affairs?
No, one cannot submit their certificate directly to get an Apostille. After 2012, the Ministry of External Affairs no longer accepted documents from an individual. To get an Apostille, one can take the help of a professional consultancy like MEA Apostille Services.
At MEA Apostille Services, our efforts are directed toward making the Apostille process effortless for the client. At MEA Apostille Services, we offer:
- Quality services- It has always been our intention to offer services that are of high quality. We make sure to use the latest techniques and methods to offer the best services.
- Customized solutions- We work with the motto of offering our customers a satisfactory experience. Therefore, we’ve developed solutions that accurately cater to the client’s needs.
- Quick and hassle-free services-Team MEA work round-the-clock to provide swift and hassle-free Apostille services to the client.
- Reliable services- All the processes at MEA Apostille are handled by a team of professionals with extreme care and attention.