Audit Flags MoFA Apostille Fee Hikes and Courier Contracts

The Auditor General of Pakistan has questioned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs over sharp increases in apostille certification fees and the outsourcing of document-delivery services to private courier companies. The findings appear in the ministry’s audit report for 2025-26, covering financial activity during the 2024-25 fiscal year.

According to the audit observations, the ministry revised apostille charges on July 8, 2024, without obtaining prior approval from the Finance Division. Auditors also reported that evidence of the revised rates being notified through the prescribed official Gazette process was not provided before the report was finalised.

The fee for personal and educational documents increased from Rs500 to Rs3,000 per document. Charges for legal documents rose from Rs700 to Rs4,500, while the amount payable for each commercial document increased from Rs3,000 to Rs12,000.

The audit cited financial-management regulations requiring government departments to consult the Finance Division before introducing fees, levies or other measures with financial implications. It also referred to the Apostille Act 2024, which allows the competent authority to prescribe certification fees through an official notification.

During audit discussions in November 2025, the ministry reportedly said it would provide the relevant approval documents. Auditors maintained that the required record had not been produced before completion of the report, leaving the objection unresolved.

At a Departmental Accounts Committee meeting in December 2025, ministry officials argued that determining apostille service charges fell within the authority granted under the 2024 law. The audit maintained its position, and the committee directed the ministry to take up the matter with the Finance Division and the Ministry of Law and Justice.

The report also raised questions about the selection of private courier companies for apostille collection and delivery services, alleging that the contracts were awarded without open competitive tenders. Courier companies charge applicants separately for their services in addition to the government’s per-document apostille fees.

The revised rates have a direct financial impact on Pakistanis seeking education, employment, immigration or family-related services abroad. Apostilling three personal documents, such as a degree, transcript and birth certificate, now costs Rs9,000 in government fees compared with Rs1,500 under the previous rates, excluding courier charges.

Businesses face an additional Rs9,000 cost for every commercial document, while the increase for each legal document is Rs3,800. The higher charges remain displayed on official consular and apostille portals, which list fees of Rs3,000 for personal and educational records, Rs4,500 for legal papers and Rs12,000 for commercial documents.

The audit objection does not automatically invalidate the revised charges or require refunds to applicants. The current rates remain applicable unless the government withdraws them, completes the required approval process or changes the fee structure following consultations with the relevant divisions.

A separate inquiry committee had already been constituted to investigate alleged irregularities in the apostille and document-attestation system, including the role of courier companies and any involvement of ministry officials. The committee was also tasked with recommending improvements to make the process more transparent and accountable.

The next step will depend on the ministry’s response to the audit findings and whether it can provide the required legal and financial approvals. Any further action may include regularising the fees, reviewing courier arrangements, recovering losses if established or introducing a competitive procurement process for future contracts.