Embassies and Consulates
Germany Embassy in New Delhi
Contact details for the Germany embassy, and what your documents must go through before Germany will accept them.
Apostille not accepted — verification by the German mission
Mission details
Important exception. Germany is a Hague Convention member, but it objected to India's accession and has never withdrawn that objection, so the Convention does not apply between Germany and India and an Indian apostille is not accepted there. German missions in India also stopped legalising Indian documents in 2000. Where a German authority needs proof that a document is genuine, it asks the German Embassy or a Consulate General in India to verify it at source.
Attestation route for Germany
Germany is a Hague Convention member, but it objected to India's accession and has never withdrawn that objection, so the Convention does not apply between Germany and India and an Indian apostille is not accepted there. German missions in India also stopped legalising Indian documents in 2000. Where a German authority needs proof that a document is genuine, it asks the German Embassy or a Consulate General in India to verify it at source.
Typical timeline: several weeks to a few months for verification. We confirm an exact estimate for your specific document and issuing state before you commit.
Germany works in German, so documents in English often need a certified translation into German as well. Where one is required it is normally legalised alongside the original rather than afterwards, and we confirm whether yours needs one before the file is submitted.
One practical point: the mission normally closes on Germany’s national day (October 3) as well as on Indian public holidays. If your deadline is tight, that is worth allowing for.
Process
Step by step for Germany
Check what is asked
German authorities often accept Indian documents without any stamp, or ask for verification. We confirm what yours has requested first.
Verification at source
Where verification is required, the German Embassy or Consulate General checks the document with the body that issued it. No apostille or embassy legalisation is involved.
Documents
Documents commonly attested for Germany
| Document | What it needs for Germany | Usually needed for |
|---|---|---|
| Degree & diploma certificates | HRD verification, then verification by the German mission where a German authority requests it | Employment, professional registration, further study |
| Mark sheets & transcripts | HRD verification, then verification by the German mission where a German authority requests it | University admission and credential assessment |
| Birth certificates | Home Department or SDM, then verification by the German mission where a German authority requests it | Dependant visas, school admission, residence |
| Marriage certificates | Home Department or SDM, then verification by the German mission where a German authority requests it | Spouse visas and family sponsorship |
| Police clearance certificates | Home Department or SDM, then verification by the German mission where a German authority requests it | Employment and residence applications |
| Commercial documents | Chamber of Commerce, then verification by the German mission where a German authority requests it | Company registration, tenders, export paperwork |
Questions
Frequently asked questions
No. Germany is a Hague Convention member, but it objected to India's accession and has never withdrawn that objection, so the Convention does not apply between Germany and India and an Indian apostille is not accepted there. German missions in India also stopped legalising Indian documents in 2000. Where a German authority needs proof that a document is genuine, it asks the German Embassy or a Consulate General in India to verify it at source.
HRD verification in the state that issued it, then verification by the German mission where a German authority requests it. Typically several weeks to a few months for verification end to end, and the university's reply to the HRD department is the part that varies most.
6/50-G, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021. Confirm before travelling there in person — missions relocate and change their public hours.
Timelines, costs, what we need from you and what happens if a document is rejected are answered on our attestation and apostille FAQ.
Related
Services involved
Not sure where to start?
Send us the document and the destination country. We will reply within one working hour with the exact process, timeline and cost.