To obtain an apostille for Indian documents intended for use in Belarus, it’s important to understand that Belarus is not a member of the Hague Convention of 1961. This means that Belarus does not accept the apostille as a form of legalization for documents. Instead, the process involves consular legalization through the Embassy of Belarus.

Steps to Get an Apostille for Belarusian Documents (Note: Consular Legalization Process)

Although Belarus is not part of the Hague Apostille Convention, you can still legalize your documents for use in Belarus through consular legalization by following these steps:

1. Documents That Need to Be Legalized

Documents for legalization include:

• Birth Certificates
• Marriage Certificates
• Death Certificates
• Educational Documents (degrees, diplomas, transcripts, mark sheets, etc.)
• Notarized Documents (powers of attorney, affidavits, contracts, etc.)
• Court Documents (court orders, judgments, etc.)
• Business Documents (company registration, business contracts, etc.)

2. Steps for Legalization of Indian Documents for Belarus

Step 1: Document Verification (If Required)

1. Educational Documents:

• Degree certificates, mark sheets, and transcripts need to be verified by the State HRD Ministry or the concerned university before they can be legalized.

1. Notarized Documents:

• If your document is notarized (such as a power of attorney, affidavit, or contract), it must be notarized and then verified by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

1. Public Documents (Birth, Marriage, Death Certificates):

• For public documents like birth certificates, marriage certificates, and court documents, you can directly proceed to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) for legalization.

Step 2: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Verification

The MEA is responsible for authenticating documents in India. You can get documents verified by the MEA before submission to the Embassy of Belarus for consular legalization.

• Public Documents (like birth certificates, marriage certificates, etc.) will be authenticated by the MEA directly.
• Educational Documents and Notarized Documents need to be first state-verified and then submitted to the MEA.

Step 3: Apply for Legalization at the Embassy of Belarus

Once the MEA has verified your documents, the next step is to submit your documents to the Belarus Embassy for consular legalization. The Embassy of Belarus will then authenticate the document for use in Belarus.

1. Visit the Embassy or apply through an authorized agent who can handle the legalization process.
2. Submit the documents, along with the following:

• Original document(s)
• MEA verification (for public documents)
• State-level verification (for educational documents)
• Passport copy (sometimes required)
• Any additional supporting documents if needed (e.g., visa documents, business-related documents, etc.)

Step 4: Pay the Embassy Legalization Fee

• The Belarus Embassy charges a fee for the consular legalization of documents. The fee varies based on the document type and the processing time.
• Processing Time: Typically, the process takes 2 to 5 business days at the Embassy of Belarus, but it can vary depending on the urgency or type of document.

You may also pay additional service fees if you’re using an agent to handle the process on your behalf.

3. Embassy of Belarus in India

To submit your documents for consular legalization, you will need to contact the Embassy of Belarus in India:

• Embassy of Belarus in New Delhi
• Address: 50-M, Shanti Path, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi – 110021, India
• Phone: +91 11 2687 2101 / 2687 2081
• Email: embassy@belarusdelhi.com
• Website: Embassy of Belarus in India
• Consular Services:
• The consular section handles the legalization of documents, including issuing visas, consular verification, and other consular matters. It is best to contact the Embassy ahead of time to confirm their specific requirements for document submission.

4. Purpose of Legalized Documents in Belarus

Once your documents are legalized, they will be recognized as valid and legally binding in Belarus. Common reasons for legalization include:

• Immigration: For visa, work permit, or residence permit applications.
• Legal Matters: For use in legal proceedings, such as powers of attorney, affidavits, contracts, etc.
• Educational Purposes: To validate your educational qualifications or transcripts.
• Business Purposes: For business registration, contracts, or corporate matters.

5. Translation of Documents (If Necessary)

• If your document is in English: Documents in English are generally accepted in Belarus for most official and legal purposes.
• If your document is in any other language: If your document is in any language other than English, it may need to be translated into Russian or Belarusian, the official languages of Belarus. This translation should be done by a certified translator to be accepted by the Belarusian authorities.

6. Summary of Key Steps for Consular Legalization

1. Document Verification: Get your document verified by the State HRD Ministry (for educational documents) or the MEA (for public documents).
2. Submit to MEA: Submit the verified documents to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) for verification, if required.
3. Embassy Submission: Submit the MEA-verified documents to the Embassy of Belarus for consular legalization.
4. Pay Fees: Pay the embassy legalization fees and any additional service fees.
5. Processing Time: It generally takes 2 to 5 business days to get the documents legalized at the Embassy of Belarus.
6. Receive Legalized Documents: Once the documents are legalized by the Embassy of Belarus, they are ready for use in Belarus.

Final Notes:

Since Belarus does not recognize apostille procedures, obtaining consular legalization from the Embassy of Belarus is essential for ensuring your Indian documents are legally valid and recognized in Belarus. If you need further assistance, you can contact the Embassy of Belarus or use an authorized agency to help manage the document verification and legalization process on your behalf.