How Much Apostille Processing Time in Pakistan?

[Nazia Law Associates]

An Apostille is a certification that authenticates the origin of a public document (such as birth certificates, degrees, marriage certificates, or power of attorney) for use in countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention. Pakistan became a member of this convention on March 9, 2023, simplifying the process of document legalization for use abroad.

Before the Apostille system, Pakistan followed a lengthy attestation process involving multiple departments, such as:

• Notary Public
• Foreign Affairs
• Embassy of the destination country

Now, with the Apostille system, documents only need verification from designated authorities in Pakistan before they are accepted in other member countries.

Apostille Services in Pakistan

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Pakistan is the designated authority for issuing Apostilles. Documents that can be apostilled include:

✅ Educational Documents (Degrees, diplomas, transcripts)
✅ Personal Documents (Birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates)
✅ Commercial Documents (Power of attorney, company registrations, affidavits)
✅ Court Documents (Divorce decrees, legal rulings)

Steps to Get an Apostille in Pakistan

1. Notarization: Get the document notarized by a Notary Public or relevant authority (e.g., HEC for degrees, NADRA for personal documents).
2. Authentication by Relevant Department:
   • Educational Documents: Verified by HEC (Higher Education Commission) or IBCC (for intermediate certificates).
   • Personal Documents: Verified by NADRA or the Union Council.
3. Submit to MOFA for Apostille: Once verified, the document is submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) for the Apostille stamp.

Apostille Appointment in Pakistan

Since the process is now digitized, applicants can:

• Apply Online: Visit the website (https://apostilleinpakistan.com/) for e-submission.
• Walk-in Submission: Some MOFA offices allow direct submissions, but an appointment may be required.
• Authorized Service Providers: Many agencies assist with document collection and submission.

Required Documents

• Original document + copies
• CNIC copy
• Fee payment receipt
• Supporting verification (HEC/NADRA/Board attestation, if applicable)

Apostille Verification in Pakistan

Foreign countries can verify the Apostille authenticity through:

• QR Code Check: MOFA Pakistan issues Apostille with QR codes for quick online verification.
• Hague Convention Database: The receiving country can cross-check the Apostille details.

If a document is rejected, it may require re-verification from the originating department (HEC/NADRA).

Apostille in Pakistan Fees

The Apostille fee varies depending on the document type:

• Personal Documents: PKR 15,000 – 20,000 per document
• Educational Documents: PKR 15,000 – 20,000 (additional HEC/IBCC fees may apply)
• Commercial Documents: PKR 15,000 – 20,000

Note: Fees are subject to change; check the latest MOFA updates.

Processing Time for Apostille in Pakistan

• Standard Processing: 3–7 working days
• Urgent Processing: 1–2 days (higher fees may apply)