MEA ApostilleApostille for Philippines
The Apostille Convention entered into force for the Philippines on 14 May 2019 and has applied with India since then, replacing authentication by the Philippine Embassy in India.
Students first
Many Indian students go to the Philippines for medical and other degree programmes taught in English. Universities and the student visa process commonly ask for a set of personal and academic documents, and since 14 May 2019 these take an MEA Apostille rather than authentication by the Philippine Embassy. Agent checklists that still describe embassy authentication pre-date that change.
A typical student set
- Class 10 and Class 12 marksheets and passing certificates, plus a degree certificate for postgraduate courses
- A school leaving certificate or migration certificate where the university asks for one
- A birth certificate
- A police clearance certificate
Each document follows its own path. Marksheets go through board verification and the State Education Department; a birth certificate goes to the state Home Department or GAD; and a PCC issued by a Passport Seva Kendra or Regional Passport Office can typically go to the MEA without state authentication.
Marriage in the Philippines
Philippine law asks foreign nationals to present a certificate of legal capacity to marry, which Indian citizens typically obtain from the Indian mission in the Philippines. That mission or the local civil registrar may want supporting Indian documents, such as an apostilled single status certificate.
Work and business
Indian professionals and companies in IT services, pharmaceuticals and outsourcing may need an apostilled experience certificate or, to register a branch or subsidiary, a board resolution and certificate of incorporation.
Language
English is widely used, so translation is rarely an issue; for regional-language documents see Document Translation.
Once you have your university's or employer's list, request a quote and we will review your documents, or start with the Service Finder.
Route for Indian documents going to Philippines
- 1
Check the checklist
Confirm which documents your university, the visa process, your employer or the civil registrar wants apostilled.
- 2
Verification and state authentication
Marksheets and degrees are verified by the board or university and the State Education Department; personal documents go to the Home Department or GAD.
- 3
Police clearance certificate
A PCC from a Passport Seva Kendra or Regional Passport Office typically goes straight to the MEA, while one from local police may need state authentication first.
- 4
MEA Apostille
The MEA apostilles each document, and the university or immigration office in the Philippines can verify the Apostille online.
- 5
Return for your application
Apostilled documents are couriered back to you for your visa application or university enrolment.
Documents commonly prepared for Philippines
Frequently asked questions
Do I need Philippine Embassy authentication for my student visa documents?
No. Since 14 May 2019, an MEA Apostille has replaced embassy authentication for Indian documents used in the Philippines. Check your university's and the visa checklist for which documents must be apostilled.
Does my police clearance certificate need state attestation first?
A PCC issued by a Passport Seva Kendra or Regional Passport Office is a central government document and can typically go to the MEA without state authentication. A certificate from local police is different and may need state-level authentication first; see Police Clearance Certificate.
I am marrying a Filipino citizen in the Philippines. What do I need from India?
Philippine law asks foreign nationals for a certificate of legal capacity to marry, which Indian citizens typically obtain from the Indian mission in the Philippines. That office or the local civil registrar may also ask for apostilled Indian documents, such as a single status certificate or your birth certificate.
Not sure which route your document needs?
Tell us the document and the destination country. We will confirm the route, the documents we need from you and a quotation — before you send anything.