Since March 2023 Pakistan issues apostilles through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and India issues them through the Ministry of External Affairs. As far as we know neither country has objected to the other under the Convention, so an apostille should in principle be enough. In practice some offices still ask for more, so we check the receiving authority first and arrange certified translations from Urdu.
- Document route
- Pakistani notary and apostille, or Indian High Commission attestation where available
- Time difference
- IST is 30 minutes ahead of Pakistan all year
- Treaty
- Hague Apostille Convention 1961
- Indian authority
- Ministry of External Affairs
Apostille & Attestation from Pakistan: how it works
For Pakistani documents going to India, we review a scan first: a death certificate from NADRA, a court decree, a marriage certificate or a power of attorney. We advise whether it needs notarisation before the apostille, how names should appear, and whether the Indian office wants a translation by a sworn translator. Once the apostilled original reaches us, we present it to the court, bank or sub-registrar and deal with any objection.
For Indian documents going to Pakistan, we obtain certified copies from the court, registrar or municipality, have them attested by the state Home or Education department where required, and then apostilled by the Ministry of External Affairs through its authorised agencies. We courier the apostilled documents to you in Pakistan, or to the Pakistani authority if you prefer.
What clients in Pakistan should know
- NADRA family registration certificates are often asked for in Indian succession cases to prove the relationship.
- Old Indian documents issued before 1947 may only exist in archives; we can search revenue and court records.
- Allow extra time for courier delivery between the two countries, which is slower than to other neighbours.
Step by step from Pakistan
Video consultation
A call at a time that suits Pakistan, after we have read your documents.
Documents signed in Pakistan
Pakistani notary and apostille, or Indian High Commission attestation where available
Work in India
Our team files, appears and follows up in India, and shares scans of everything filed.
Result and handover
Certified copies and originals are couriered to you in Pakistan where needed.
The full guide
This page covers what changes when you are in Pakistan. For the law, the documents and the step-by-step procedure, read our main page on Apostille & Attestation, or see all services for clients in Pakistan and the Inheritance & Documents practice area.
Questions from clients in Pakistan
Does India accept apostilles issued by Pakistan?
In principle yes since 2023, as far as we know. We confirm with the specific Indian office before you start.
Can you apostille my Indian degree for use in Pakistan?
Yes. We arrange state verification where needed and the MEA apostille, then courier it to you.
Do Urdu documents need translation?
Yes. Indian courts and registries need a certified English translation.