From US Court to Indian Court: How Apostille Makes Your Divorce Legal in India
If you are an Indian living in the USA and a US court has already granted your divorce decree, your work is still not complete.
To make your US divorce valid in India, you must complete two important steps:
- Apostille your divorce decree
- Translate it (if needed)
Without these steps, Indian authorities and courts will not accept your US divorce decree. Let’s understand this in the simplest way possible.
What Is an Apostille?
An Apostille is a special stamp or certificate that proves your US divorce paper is real and legal.
Both India and the USA are part of the Hague Apostille Convention, which means they trust each other’s Apostille stamps.
Once you Apostille your US divorce decree, Indian courts recognise it directly and do not ask for verification from the Indian Embassy or Consulate.
Think of the Apostille as a global seal of trust between countries.
Steps to Get Your Divorce Decree Apostilled
You can complete the Apostille process in three simple steps.
Step 1: Get a Certified Copy
Ask your County Court Clerk for a certified copy of your final divorce decree.
A normal photocopy will not work.
- Cost: Around $5–$20
Step 2: Get State Apostille
Send your certified copy to the Secretary of State office in the same US state where your divorce was finalised.
They will attach the Apostille certificate to your document.
- Cost: Around $15–$25 per document
Step 3: (Sometimes) Get Federal Apostille
If your divorce was granted by a federal court, you will need to send it to the US Department of State in Washington, D.C.
- Cost: Around $20 per document
Once you get the Apostille, your US divorce decree is legally ready for India.
Why Translation May Be Needed
Your US divorce decree is usually in English, which many Indian courts accept.
However, if you plan to use it in a local court in India like for property cases, passport updates, or remarriage registration you may need a certified translation into the local language (like Hindi, Tamil, or Marathi).
A certified translation means a professional translator translates the document and signs an affidavit that it is correct.
Never use Google Translate courts will not accept it.
Translation cost: Around $50–$200 per page, depending on the language.
Many apostille and translation services in the USA offer both services together, which makes the process easier.
Why Apostille Is So Important
Apostille is not just paperwork. It’s your proof of authenticity.
Here’s why it matters:
It makes your divorce decree valid in India.
Without Apostille, Indian authorities might reject your document.
It avoids long delays in court.
An Apostilled decree saves you from extra verification and court questions.
It helps with remarriage and legal updates.
If you want to remarry or change your passport, PAN card, or Aadhaar, the Apostilled decree proves your legal single status.
It prevents fraud.
Apostille ensures that your document is real and officially recognised.
What LawCrust Can Do for You
LawCrust Legal Consulting helps Indian citizens living in the USA or other countries complete the Apostille and translation process quickly and correctly.
LawCrust takes care of:
- Getting your divorce decree Apostilled in the right US state
- Helping you with certified translations (if required)
- Preparing your documents for submission in India
- Guiding you through the entire legal process without stress
We also connect you with the best Indian family lawyers who understand both Indian and US laws.
With LawCrust, your divorce paperwork becomes smooth, fast, and fully valid in India.
Why Apostille Protects Your Future
Having an Apostille on your US divorce decree protects you in many ways:
- You can remarry legally in India.
- You can transfer property or update records without delays.
- No one can challenge your divorce authenticity in Indian courts.
It’s not just a stamp it’s your legal peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Do I need an Apostille for all US divorce decrees used in India?
Yes. It’s required for every US divorce decree you plan to use in India.
Q2: Is notarisation enough instead of Apostille?
No. Notarisation works only inside the US. You need Apostille for it to work in India.
Q3: How long does the Apostille process take?
Usually 1–3 weeks. Some states offer express or same-day services for an extra fee.
Q4: Do I need Apostille for my Affidavit of Separation too?
Yes. It must first be notarised and then Apostilled for it to be valid in India.
Q4: Can I handle the Apostille process myself?
Yes, but most people prefer using Apostille services or LawCrust experts to save time and avoid mistakes.
Conclusion
If you are an Indian living in the USA, getting your US divorce decree Apostilled is a must before using it in India.
Without Apostille, Indian courts will not accept your divorce, which can cause delays in remarriage, property division, or updating your records.
LawCrust Legal Consulting makes the entire process easy from Apostille to translation ensuring your US divorce decree is 100% valid in India.
With LawCrust by your side, you can move forward confidently and legally both in the US and in India.
Lawcrust – Protecting You Through Legal Transitions
Lawcrust Legal Consulting is a trusted family law firm helping Indian nationals in the USA navigate complex divorce cases.
If your spouse threatens to withdraw consent or turns your mutual divorce into a contested one, Lawcrust’s expert family law and divorce attorneys protect your financial and parental rights every step of the way.
From mutual settlement to full representation, Lawcrust ensures your legal peace of mind.
LawCrust Legal Consulting, a subsidiary of LawCrust Global Consulting Ltd., is a leading firm in the legal industry. We offer a wide range of premium services, including Litigation Finance, Legal Protect, Litigation Management, Startup Solutions, Funding Solutions, Hybrid Consulting Services, Mergers & Acquisitions, and more. With over 50 offices across India and a team of more than 70 specialised lawyers, we provide top-notch support for a variety of legal matters.
LawCrust Groups is a conglomerate of companies, including LawCrust Realty, LawCrust Ventures, LawCrust Hybrid Consulting, LawCrust Technology, LawCrust Foundation, and LawCrust Consumer Products.