Degree Certificate Apostille in Tamil Nadu: What Graduates Need
A degree certificate apostille in Tamil Nadu is the stamp that lets a degree from Anna University, the University of Madras or any other state university work abroad. When state verification is needed, Tamil Nadu routes it through one office: the Under Secretary (Foreigners), Public Department, at the Secretariat in Chennai. INFINITYGRO Attestation handles the paperwork from Delhi and returns your originals by tracked courier.
By the INFINITYGRO documentation teamUpdated Facts checked against MEA and HCCH
Degree certificate apostille sample
What is the fastest way to apostille a Tamil Nadu degree? For most people, the fastest way to get a degree certificate apostille in Tamil Nadu is the Delhi route: a notary, the SDM in Delhi, then the MEA. This usually takes 2 to 3 working days. When a foreign body insists on state verification, the Public (Foreigners) Department in Chennai signs before the MEA.
Tamil Nadu universities behind most of our cases
Tamil Nadu has one of the largest university systems in India. The degrees we handle most come from:
- Anna University, Chennai, which awards degrees for hundreds of affiliated engineering colleges
- University of Madras, Chennai
- Bharathiar University, Coimbatore
- Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai
- Bharathidasan University, Periyar University and Alagappa University
- The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Chennai, for medical, dental and nursing degrees
- Central University of Tamil Nadu, Thiruvarur
- Deemed universities in Chennai, Vellore, Coimbatore and elsewhere
Degrees from autonomous colleges are usually awarded in the parent university's name. The university that signed the certificate is the one that verifies it.
Key facts
| State signing office | Under Secretary (Foreigners), Public Department, Chennai |
|---|---|
| Also on the MEA list | Office of the Resident Commissioner of Tamil Nadu, New Delhi |
| Apostille issued by | MEA, CPV Division |
| Fee charged by MEA | Rs 50 per document |
| INFINITYGRO all-inclusive | Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 per document; courier extra |
| Online option | e-Sanad, for connected universities only |
| Each needs its own stamp | Degree, provisional, consolidated mark sheet, each semester sheet |
The Public (Foreigners) Department in Chennai
Some states spread verification across many offices. Tamil Nadu does not. The MEA list of state authorities names the Under Secretary of the Public (Foreigners) Department in Chennai, plus the state's Resident Commissioner in New Delhi.
Before signing, the department confirms the degree with the university that awarded it. That step takes longer than the Delhi route, so use it only when the receiving country or employer asks for state verification.
The MEA verifies the signature of the state or SDM officer. It does not assess your marks or course.
Degree certificate apostille in Tamil Nadu: three routes compared
Delhi route. A notary attests a copy, the SDM in Delhi confirms the notary, and the MEA apostilles. It is accepted for most educational documents from any state.
State route. The Public (Foreigners) Department signs after checking with the university. The MEA then apostilles.
e-Sanad route. Where a university is linked to the MEA's e-Sanad system, it verifies online. You enter your passport number, so keep the passport handy. Not every Tamil Nadu university is connected.
We look at your destination and the receiving body's letter before choosing one.
Anna University grade sheets and other mark sheets
An engineering graduate from an Anna University college often holds a degree, a provisional certificate, a consolidated grade sheet and eight semester grade sheets. That is up to eleven separate documents. Each one needs its own apostille.
Most foreign universities ask for the degree and either the consolidated sheet or all semester sheets. Ask them which, so you do not pay for stamps you will not use.
The provisional certificate is not the final degree. Many foreign employers accept it only until the degree arrives. Transcripts are a separate request made to the university.
Distance education, PhD and older degrees
Several Tamil Nadu universities run large distance education programmes. A degree earned through distance mode is apostilled the same way as a regular one. Some foreign employers and regulators treat distance degrees differently, though, so check their rules before you apply.
Master's degrees and doctorates are handled exactly like bachelor's degrees. Each certificate is a separate document.
Degrees from the 1980s and 1990s are often handwritten or printed on old stock paper. They are still accepted if the seal and signature are clear. If the paper is torn or the ink has faded, ask the university for a duplicate before you start. State verification of a very old degree can also take longer, because the university has to search paper records.
Sending your degree from Chennai, Coimbatore and Madurai
INFINITYGRO has its office in Delhi. Clients in Tamil Nadu send their degrees by courier, and we send them back by Blue Dart or another tracked courier. There is no pickup from your home.
- Chennai: Anna University, University of Madras and medical degrees, often for the USA, UK and Australia.
- Coimbatore: Bharathiar University and engineering colleges, with many clients joining employers in Europe.
- Madurai: Madurai Kamaraj University degrees, often for Gulf and Southeast Asian jobs.
Use a hard folder and a reputed courier with tracking. Keep a scan of every page you send.
Countries that need embassy legalization instead
The apostille is accepted in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia and most European countries. The UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Egypt are outside the convention. For them we arrange MEA attestation and embassy legalization through our embassy attestation service.
China does not accept an Indian apostille, and Germany checks Indian documents through its embassy. Read more about how the MEA stamp works on our MEA apostille page.
Before your degree leaves home
- Original only; the MEA does not stamp photocopies
- No lamination, because the back is stamped
- Same spelling as your passport, or a name affidavit
- A passport copy for every route
- Tamil-only certificates may need certified translation through our translation service
Our degree apostille hub covers every state. You can also message us with a scan first.
Real degree certificate apostille samples
Click any sample to enlarge. Personal details are masked.
Tamil Nadu degree certificate apostille FAQs
Do I need to visit the Chennai Secretariat?
No. Most degrees go through the Delhi route, which needs no visit. The Secretariat step is only for cases where state verification is requested.
Can a degree from an autonomous college be apostilled?
Yes. Check which university's name is on the certificate. That university is the one that confirms it if asked.
Is a degree certificate apostille in Tamil Nadu accepted in the UAE?
No. The UAE needs MEA attestation and UAE embassy legalization instead.
Are Dr. M.G.R. Medical University degrees handled the same way?
Yes. Medical, dental and nursing degrees follow the same routes. Foreign medical councils may also want a separate check from the university.
What if my name differs between degree and passport?
Prepare a name affidavit. The MEA expects your documents to match your passport.
Can I send only the provisional certificate?
You can, but check first whether the receiving body accepts it. Many want the final degree.
Other documents from Tamil Nadu
- Marriage Certificate apostille
- Birth Certificate apostille
- Degree Certificate apostille
- Diploma Certificate apostille
- PCC apostille
Degree Certificate apostille in other states
Getting a Tamil Nadu degree certificate ready for abroad?
WhatsApp a photo of the document and the destination country. We reply with the route, the timeline and one total price.