India is a member of the Apostille Convention, so New Zealand documents going to India need an apostille, not embassy legalisation. Typical jobs for India: an apostilled NZ marriage certificate for an OCI card, a power of attorney signed before a Notary Public and apostilled for property in India, and degrees and police certificates for work. We order the right certificate, book the notary, lodge the apostille and courier it. All in from NZ$116.
What we prepare for India
| Your situation | NZ document | What we take care of |
|---|---|---|
| OCI card for a foreign spouse | NZ marriage certificate | Order the correct certificate and apostille it. We also check the Consulate's current checklist for the applicant's birth certificate |
| OCI card for a child, parents married outside India | Parents' NZ marriage certificate | Order and apostille it, so it matches the rest of the application |
| Selling, buying or managing property in India | Power of attorney (POA) | Book a Notary Public, have it signed correctly, apostille it and courier it to your attorney in India |
| Job, registration or study in India | Degree, transcript, NZ police certificate | Request the criminal record, check whether the degree needs a notary first, then apostille |
| Name, marriage or family records in India | NZ birth, marriage or death certificate | Order the right certificate as an approved BDM Online organisation, apostille and send it |
The Indian Consulate in Auckland or the High Commission in Wellington makes the final call on OCI documents, and its checklists change. We check the current one before we order anything.
How it works with us
- Tell us the Indian officeOCI, sub-registrar, bank or employer.
- We confirm the documentsWhich certificate, and whether it needs a notary.
- We order or bookBDM certificates, Notary Public appointment.
- ApostilleLodged and tracked by us.
- DeliveredTo you in NZ, or straight to India.
What it costs
| Service | All in |
|---|---|
| Apostille on a NZ document you already have | From NZ$116 |
| NZ certificate ordered and apostilled, returned in NZ | From NZ$198 |
| Power of attorney: notary appointment + apostille | Quoted all in, including the notary |
| NZ police certificate (criminal record) requested for you | NZ$35, apostille extra |
| Courier to India | Quoted with your order |
Prices include government fees and GST. For an OCI family set or a property POA, we quote everything at once. See pricing.
Power of attorney for property in India
If you live in New Zealand and need someone in India to sell, buy, rent or manage property for you, the usual tool is a power of attorney. Signed here, it has to be signed in front of a New Zealand Notary Public and then apostilled before Indian authorities will act on it. A JP is not enough.
Once it arrives in India, your attorney or lawyer there arranges stamp duty with the local Collector of Stamps, usually within three months of it arriving, and registration where the state requires it. We make sure the New Zealand side is done correctly so nothing is sent back.
OCI cards: the document that gets missed
For an OCI card based on marriage to a person of Indian origin, the Consulate asks for a foreign marriage certificate that is apostilled by the country that issued it. In New Zealand, that means a BDM marriage certificate, not the certificate you signed on the wedding day, which cannot be apostilled. See NZ marriage certificate.
We order the right certificate, apostille it and check the name spellings match your passports before it goes to the Consulate.
Mistakes that cost weeks
- Sending the wedding-day certificate instead of a BDM marriage certificate
- Having a POA witnessed by a JP instead of a Notary Public
- Signing the POA before the notary appointment
- Assuming India needs embassy legalisation. It takes an apostille
- Names spelt differently across passports and certificates
We prepare New Zealand documents. Whether a document is accepted is decided by the Indian authority receiving it.
Frequently asked questions
Does India accept an apostille from New Zealand?
Yes. India is a member of the Apostille Convention, so NZ documents for India take an apostille, not embassy legalisation.
Which documents need an apostille for an OCI card?
For a foreign spouse, the NZ marriage certificate must be apostilled. For a child whose parents married outside India, the parents' marriage certificate must be apostilled. The Consulate's current checklist may ask for more, and we check it before ordering.
Can I sign a power of attorney for India in New Zealand?
Yes. It must be signed in front of a NZ Notary Public and then apostilled. We book the notary, handle the apostille and courier it to India.
Is a JP enough for a power of attorney for India?
No. Indian authorities expect a notarised and apostilled document. A JP signature cannot be apostilled for this purpose.
How much does it cost?
Apostille all in from NZ$116. A NZ certificate ordered and apostilled is from NZ$198. A power of attorney with notary and apostille is quoted all in.
Can you send the documents straight to India?
Yes. We courier to you in New Zealand or directly to your family, lawyer or attorney in India.
Sources
NZ Document Assist Limited is an independent company, not a government agency. We are not a law firm, Notary Public or licensed immigration adviser and do not give legal or immigration advice.