With increasing globalization, the demand for international mobility—whether for education, work, emigration, or trade—keeps on increasing with no signs of slowing down. One of the most important things to do when intending to travel abroad or conduct business abroad is to have your documents apostilled.

However, the majority of candidates unnecessarily make mistakes which lead to delay, rejection, or undue stress. In this blog, we shall take you through the most popular mistakes made by candidates while they go through the process of apostille and provide lessons on how you can sail smoothly through this compulsory legal process.

Misunderstanding What Apostille Is

Let’s start at the beginning—most individuals go into the process with little or no understanding of what an apostille is or where it’s going to be used. Apostille is a method of document authentication accepted between nations that are signatories to the Hague Convention of 1961. It removes embassy legalization in those nations, simplifying international legal procedures.

Common error: People confuse apostille with embassy legalization or notarization and interchange all three terms. This leads to the wrong procedure altogether.

Tip: Check whether your country of destination is a member of the Hague Convention. If so, then the correct procedure is apostille—not embassy legalization.

Presenting Incorrect or Incomplete Documents
This will likely be the most frequent and costly mistake. A few candidates give faulty documents or fail to provide the complete set of supporting documents that need to be apostille’d.

Examples are:

Returning laminated documents (which MEA does not accept)

Submitting photocopies only and not original documents

Submitting documents with faulty seals and signatures of the issuing authority

Tip: Ensure the originality, authenticity, and wholeness of every document before submitting. Never submit laminated copies and append any supporting documents such as ID proofs, authorization letters, or application forms.

Omission of the Pre-Authentication Process
Before being apostilled by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the document must be authenticated at the state level based on its type.

Educational certificates must be pre-authenticated by the HRD Department of the concerned state.

Personal documents must be pre-authenticated by State Home Department or SDM.

Commercial documents must be pre-authenticated by the Chamber of Commerce.

Not Accounting for Processing Time
But the other mistake made by most candidates is underestimating processing time. While at best the MEA will normally take 2 to 5 working days, there can be some delay that follows depending on backlog, public holidays, fault at state levels of authentication, or due to incomplete documents.

Omitting the Validity of the Apostilled Document
An apostille document is of short validity. Some organizations or governments overseas prefer the apostille to be recent—ideally within the past 3 to 6 months.

Universal error: Using a stale apostilled document as having perpetual validity.

Tip: Prior to submitting an apostilled document to a foreign government agency, verify the estimated validity period of the receiving organization. Re-get apostille when needed.

Keeping Everything in Mind
Not all documents are apostilled. For example, non-government notarized affidavits without state government seal or evidence of non-registration documents of private companies are usually rejected.

Common mistake: Forwarding unsupported or unauthorized documents with hopes of them being apostilled.

Tip: Forward documents stamped by a seal from an accepted authority, e.g., educational institutions, government ministries, or registered societies. In case of doubt, consult professionals.

Overlooking MEA or State Policy Updates
Government process and policy in relation to apostille could be revised. Like MEA would revise its list of authorized agents now and then or adopts e-Apostille systems in order to ease processing.

Typical error: Depend on random blogs or word-of-mouth with obsolete information.
Solution: Check through true government websites or inquire from original service providers like La Classe’s Apostille in India to be well-informed about the new procedures.

Lack of Document Handling
Physical injury to the documents might lead to delays or entirely halt the apostille process. The MEA will deny documents that are:

Torn or defaced

Edited using correction tape or pencils

Laminated

Seals/signatures that are illegible

Typical mistake: Presenting creased, folded, or improperly handled documents for processing.

Tip: Place all documents in best physical shape—flat, clean, and unlaminated.

Insufficient Follow-Up or Communication
Poor follow-up or communication by the processing agency, after submitting the documents, may lead to missed updates, delay, or overlooked errors.

Typical mistake: Not inquiring status without asking.

Tip: Stay in contact with your service provider, request updates, and be ready for any explanation or additional documentation.

Why These Mistakes Matter?
The apostille itself is just a clerical process—it’s the key to your international opportunities. Whether it’s getting accepted into a university, acquiring a work visa, opening up your business, or living overseas, a small error in your apostille application can derail your plans a long way.

Not doing so in respect is not merely a waste of time and money, but also something which can very well jeopardize harming your reputation overseas in the minds of foreign institutions.

Have it done through La Classe’s India Apostille
We, at India’s La Classe’s Apostille, have had thousands of clients over the years and seen those mistakes too often. So then our professionals provide thoughtful guidance, flawless documents, and step-by-step assistance to avoid all the above fault lines.

How we simplify your apostille process?

Pre-document check to spot and rectify potential issues

State authentication advice required

Direct interaction with HRD, Home Department, SDM, or Chamber of Commerce

Fast track MEA submission and apostille

Prompt dispatch and regular communication

Leave your documents with us and be confident that they are in safe hands and will be processed with efficiency, security, and precision.

Conclusion
Obtaining an apostille in India need not be a chore and anxiety-creating experience. Be informed, do not make these errors, and obtain expert services to get the process of obtaining an apostille a smooth and hassle-less experience.

For studies, jobs, business, or tourism—do not have the documents hindering you. Let La Classe’s Apostille in India take care of the documents while you chase your target.