MOA Apostille: Legalizing Your Memorandum of Association
An MOA apostille makes your company's memorandum of association acceptable to authorities in Hague Convention countries. The memorandum is the charter a company files with the Registrar of Companies under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs when it is incorporated. Because it is a multi-page document that the company often amends, getting the right version certified matters more here than with most papers.
By the INFINITYGRO documentation teamUpdated Facts checked against MEA and HCCH
MEA attestation stamp and Apostille sticker
What is needed for an MOA apostille in India? You need a complete, current copy of the memorandum, either signed and stamped as a true copy by an authorised signatory and notarised, or certified by the Registrar of Companies. A recognised Chamber of Commerce authenticates it, and the MEA issues the MOA apostille. Non-Hague countries such as the UAE and Kuwait need MEA attestation and embassy legalization instead.
Start with the right version of the memorandum
Many companies have changed their memorandum since incorporation. They may have raised the authorised capital, added new business objects or changed the company name. Each change is approved by a special resolution or, for capital, an ordinary resolution, and filed with the ROC. A foreign authority expects the version in force today.
Before you print anything, check that your copy includes every alteration. A memorandum that still shows the old capital or old objects can be rejected, or worse, accepted and later questioned. If you are unsure which version is current, the filed copies on the MCA portal show the history.
Send all pages, including the subscriber sheet at the end. Missing pages are a common reason for refusal.
Key facts
| What it is | The company's charter: name, registered office state, objects, liability and capital |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | Section 4, Companies Act 2013; model forms in Schedule I, Tables A to E |
| Filed with | Registrar of Companies, MCA (e-MOA, Form INC-33, with SPICe+) |
| Who signs the copy | Director or company secretary as a certified true copy |
| First step | Notary or ROC-certified copy, then Chamber of Commerce |
| MEA step | Apostille for Hague members; attestation for embassy countries |
| Apostille countries | UK, USA, Canada, Australia, most of Europe (not Germany), Japan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Turkey |
| MEA fee | Rs 50 per apostille; normal attestation free |
What the memorandum says and who files it
Section 4 of the Companies Act 2013 sets out what a memorandum must state. That includes the company name, the state of its registered office, the objects for which it is formed, the liability of members, and the share capital where there is one. Schedule I gives model formats: Table A for a company limited by shares, Tables B and C for companies limited by guarantee, and Tables D and E for unlimited companies.
For companies incorporated through SPICe+, the memorandum is usually filed electronically as e-MOA in Form INC-33. Older companies hold a printed memorandum signed by the subscribers. Either way, the official record sits with the Registrar of Companies.
Why buyers and authorities abroad want it
The objects clause tells a foreign party what your company is legally allowed to do. That is why it appears in:
- Applications for a branch, subsidiary or representative office overseas.
- Distributor and agency registrations, where the foreign ministry checks that trading is within your objects.
- Bank due diligence for corporate accounts and trade finance.
- Tender files that ask for constitutional documents of the bidder.
It usually travels with the certificate of incorporation and the articles of association.
Memorandum of Association (MOA) route by destination country
Each card shows whether the country takes an MEA Apostille or embassy legalization. Click a flag for that country.
UAEEmbassy legalization
QatarEmbassy legalization
KuwaitEmbassy legalization
Saudi ArabiaApostille
OmanApostille
EgyptEmbassy legalization
IraqEmbassy legalization
ChinaEmbassy legalization
VietnamApostille
IndonesiaApostille
United KingdomApostille
United StatesApostille
No country matches. Call us: we handle most embassies in New Delhi.
Apostille MEA Apostille is the final stepEmbassy legalization MEA attestation, then the embassy in New DelhiGerman verification verified through the German Embassy
Preparing the copy: two accepted approaches
Company-certified and notarised
A director or the company secretary signs each page or the last page as a certified true copy, with the company stamp. A notary then attests the copy. This is quick and works for most chambers and destinations.
ROC-certified copy
The MCA portal lets anyone request a certified copy of filed incorporation documents through its Get Certified Copies service. The Registrar sends a physical certified copy. Section 399 of the Companies Act 2013 treats a copy certified by the Registrar as equal in validity to the original in legal proceedings. Some embassies and banks prefer this version.
We tell you which version suits your destination before you prepare anything.
MOA apostille steps for Hague Convention countries
- Certified copy prepared as above.
- Authentication by a recognised Chamber of Commerce. In Delhi we use chambers such as FICCI, ASSOCHAM, PHD Chamber or the Indian Chamber of Commerce, choosing one that accepts constitutional documents.
- Apostille by the MEA CPV Division through its authorised outsourced centres. The government fee is Rs 50 per document.
The MEA checks only the authenticating officer's signature. It does not read your objects clause. Details on the ministry's role are on our MEA apostille page.
Embassy route for the Gulf, Middle East and China
For the UAE, the memorandum goes from the chamber to MEA attestation, then to the UAE Embassy in New Delhi, and is finally attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the UAE. Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Sudan and Yemen follow chamber, MEA attestation and embassy.
China does not accept Indian apostilles because India objected to its accession in September 2023. A red-sticker notary, chamber, MEA attestation and the Chinese Embassy are required. Germany does not legalize Indian documents. It may verify them through its embassy if needed.
Arabic-speaking authorities often ask for a translation. We arrange certified translation along with the legalization. More on embassy work is on our embassy attestation page.
Keep the company details consistent across the set
Foreign officials compare documents side by side. The company name, registered office and CIN on the memorandum should match the certificate of incorporation, the articles and any board resolution sent with them. A small difference, such as 'Pvt Ltd' on one page and 'Private Limited' on another, can trigger questions at a ministry counter.
If your registered office has moved to another state since incorporation, the memorandum should reflect that change. Moving between states alters the registered office clause and needs approval before the ROC records it. Check that the copy you send shows the current state.
We read through the set before submission and flag mismatches so you can fix them before any fee is paid to the chamber or embassy.
Your MOA courier checklist
- The full current memorandum, all pages, including amendments.
- Certified true copy signed by a director or company secretary, with company stamp.
- A letter on letterhead stating the destination country and purpose.
- If you already have an ROC-certified copy, send that instead.
Courier to our office in New Ashok Nagar, Delhi, or drop off if you are in Delhi NCR. Return is by Blue Dart or a similar tracked courier. We do not collect from your premises.
Pitfalls and pricing
The usual problems are an outdated version, missing subscriber pages, a signatory who has resigned as director, and a company name that no longer matches the certificate of incorporation. Sending an MOA apostille to a UAE authority also fails, since the UAE needs the embassy chain.
The MEA apostille fee is Rs 50 and MEA normal attestation is free. Chamber and embassy fees are separate. We quote per document in writing, with courier extra. Contact us with the destination country to get a quote.
What the MEA stamps look like
Click any sample to enlarge. Personal details are masked.
Memorandum of Association (MOA) apostille FAQs
Can I apostille only the first and last pages of the MOA?
No. Authorities expect the complete document. Send every page, including the subscriber details.
We changed our objects clause last year. Which copy do I send?
Send the altered memorandum as it stands today. The foreign party needs the objects currently in force.
Does an MOA apostille work in Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia is listed among the Apostille countries, so an MEA apostille is the normal route for Saudi use.
Who should sign the certified true copy?
A current director or the company secretary. A person who has left the company should not sign.
Is the e-MOA filed online acceptable?
Yes, once it is printed and certified correctly, or obtained as a certified copy from the Registrar.
How long is a legalized MOA valid?
The apostille itself does not expire. Some foreign authorities, though, ask for documents legalized recently. Check the requirement with the receiving office before you start.
Can you process the MOA with the AOA and incorporation certificate?
Yes. We process them as one set so the company details match across all three.
Need your Memorandum of Association (MOA) legalized?
WhatsApp a photo of the document and the destination country. We reply with the route and a written quote.