Both Trinidad and Tobago and India are parties to the Apostille Convention. Trinidadian public documents and notarised documents are apostilled by the designated government office in Port of Spain, and Indian documents by the Ministry of External Affairs after state verification. No embassy attestation is needed between the two countries. An Indian notarised document usually first needs state-level authentication before the MEA will apostille it.
- Document route
- Notary or attorney-at-law, then apostille (check the issuing office)
- Time difference
- IST is 9h30 ahead all year (no daylight saving)
- Treaty
- Hague Apostille Convention 1961
- Indian authority
- Ministry of External Affairs
Apostille & Attestation from Trinidad and Tobago: how it works
For documents going to India, we tell you exactly which documents need what: civil certificates from the Registrar General, affidavits and powers of attorney signed before a notary or attorney-at-law, and company documents. Each is apostilled in Trinidad and then couriered. Check with the issuing office in advance because requirements for submission, such as originals or certified copies, can vary.
For Indian documents going to Trinidad, such as birth certificates of relatives, degree certificates or court orders, we arrange state-level verification through the relevant state department and then the MEA apostille, which is issued through authorised outsourcing agencies. Educational documents are verified by the state education department, personal documents by the home or general administration department. We courier the apostilled originals to you and keep scans for reference.
What clients in Trinidad and Tobago should know
- Older Indian certificates in regional languages often need certified translations, which should also be apostilled where accepted.
- Trinidad authorities may ask that a document be recently issued, so request fresh copies of Indian certificates where possible.
- An apostille confirms the signature and seal, not the content; errors in a certificate must be corrected at source.
Step by step from Trinidad and Tobago
Video consultation
A call at a time that suits Trinidad and Tobago, after we have read your documents.
Documents signed in Trinidad and Tobago
Notary or attorney-at-law, then apostille (check the issuing office)
Work in India
Our team files, appears and follows up in India, and shares scans of everything filed.
Result and handover
Certified copies and originals are couriered to you in Trinidad and Tobago where needed.
The full guide
This page covers what changes when you are in Trinidad and Tobago. For the law, the documents and the step-by-step procedure, read our main page on Apostille & Attestation, or see all services for clients in Trinidad and Tobago and the Inheritance & Documents practice area.
Questions from clients in Trinidad and Tobago
Do I need the Indian High Commission to attest my Trinidad documents?
No, an apostille is sufficient for use in India, as both countries are parties to the Convention.
How long does an Indian MEA apostille take?
Typically a couple of weeks, longer if the state verification step is slow.
Can I get an apostille on a photocopy?
Usually only on originals or certified copies issued by the competent authority, or on notarised copies where accepted.