Guide
How to choose an apostille or document agent in India
Seven questions to ask any apostille, attestation or document agent before you hand over original documents or pay, from a team that has handled 5,000+ NRI applications.
Updated 30 October 2026
Choose an agent who gives a written price before you pay, separates official fees from their own fee with receipts, tracks your originals by courier with photos, replies in writing, and explains each step. Avoid anyone who asks for the full amount in cash upfront or will not put the price in writing.
Seven questions to ask
- What is your fee, in writing, and which official fees are extra?
- Will I get receipts for every official fee?
- Do you need my originals, or will copies do for some steps?
- How do my originals travel, and will you photograph them on arrival and return?
- Who exactly will handle my file, and how do I reach them?
- What happens if a document is rejected, and who pays for a second round?
- Will you delete my document copies after the job if I ask?
Warning signs
- Cash only, or full payment before anything is checked
- No written quote, or a price that changes after you send documents
- No receipts for official fees
- Promises of a same-day apostille for documents that still need state verification
- Calls go unanswered once you have paid
How SafeNRI answers these
Written prices before you pay, official fees at actuals with receipts, copies unless an original is legally needed, tracked courier with photos, one named person who answers, and bigger jobs paid in stages after proof. See how we work. SafeNRI is an independent private service, not affiliated with any government department, university or board. You can also apply yourself; our fee is for assisting and representing you, and official fees are charged at actuals with receipts.