Guide
Why apostille applications get delayed or rejected, and how to avoid it
The most common reasons Indian documents are delayed or sent back during verification and MEA apostille, from a team that has handled 5,000+ NRI applications.
Updated 30 October 2026
Most apostille delays come from the steps before the MEA: the wrong document type, names that do not match across documents, a missing state verification, a damaged or laminated original, or a university that is slow to verify. Checking these before you send anything usually saves weeks.
The mistakes we see most often
- Sending a provisional certificate or a marksheet when the destination asked for the final degree certificate.
- Names spelled differently on the passport, degree and marksheets, or a missing surname after marriage, with no supporting affidavit.
- Skipping state verification. Educational documents usually need the state education department (or the university) to verify them first; personal documents need the state home department or another notified authority.
- Laminated, torn or written-on originals. Stamps and stickers need a clean surface, so ask before you laminate anything.
- Old documents from a closed college or a renamed university, where verification takes longer than usual.
- The destination wanted embassy attestation, not an apostille, because the country is not part of the Hague Apostille Convention.
- A missing translation, when the destination country asks for one.
How to avoid them
- Ask the body that wants the document (employer, university, court or registry) exactly which document and which stamp it needs, in writing.
- Line up your names across passport and documents before you start. If they differ, prepare a name affidavit first.
- Send a clear scan of every page before posting originals, so problems are caught before the documents travel.
- Keep originals flat, clean and unlaminated.
- Allow extra time for documents older than 10 years or from colleges that have closed.
What it costs to get it wrong
Official fees already paid are usually not refunded when a document is sent back, and the document has to go through the queue again. A five-minute check at the start is cheaper than a second round.
If you need help
SafeNRI checks which route your destination needs, handles state verification, the MEA step and courier, and shares receipts for every official fee. See Apostille and attestation and Education document attestation and apostille. SafeNRI is an independent private service, not affiliated with any government department, university or board. You can also apply yourself; our fee is for assisting and representing you, and official fees are charged at actuals with receipts.