Documentation requires the proof of authenticity. This process of verifying and authenticating documents is called attestation. It integrates a legal credibility when you submit the document for immigration. So, it is mandatory to enclose an evidence or proof of its credibility.

Attestation of Documents

In legal terms, attestation makes your documentation lawful. There are certain things that signify it. A stamp and signature of the authorised person indicate that the document is authentic. The attestation of documents of Indian nationals or any foreigner certifies that they are original and can be trusted across the globe. This is a step to make all things done legitimately that any countries’ government or authority can trust.

The certificate attestation & attestation of documents are similar terms. These are the must-have services that one has to obtain for legally authenticating his documents. This process is also called the legalization of documents.

However, it needs different seals, signatures and stamps from the concerned officials. There are many authorities at different levels in India for the attestation of documents of Indian nationals. 

Why is attestation required?

The attestation of certificate or document is required for a number of reasons. Basically, these are divided into internal and external matters. Internal matters can be concerned with judicial purposes like a Will and a Mortgage Deed.

Besides, people require credible documents for opening a bank account, obtaining visa, performing business events and overseas employment. These are external matters that require papers to be legalized.

How can you attest documents in India?

There are a number of authorities set up for attesting documents. Depending on the need, the papers are attested from these authorities in India. These also represent different types of attestation:

• Notary Public

It is basically required for sworn documents called affidavit. The local notary public issues it upon examining the credibility of the source. Once verified, the notary puts his signature to legalise that document.

• Home Department

It is exclusively meant for legalizing personal documents, including birth certificate, death certificate, marriage certificate, bachelorhood certificate and non-availability of birth certificate (NABC). The home department of the state government authorizes it.

• HRD Attestation

Also called Human Resource Department, the HRD is also a state entity that legalizes the educational documents and certificates like transcript. It covers the academic history (including school and university) of the person. But before that, the applicant has to get it verified from the school or university.

• SDM Attestation

The Sub-Divisional Magistrate or SDM can be used in place of the Home Department attestation. Some concerned departments or authorities strictly require attestation from the HRD. However, the SD is a free and independent government authority that performs in its sole discretion.

• Chamber of Commerce Attestation

As its name suggests, the Chamber of Commerce is an entity that legalizes commercial documents. These can be concerned with businesses or parties or events. This is significantly required to prove that the entrepreneurship is legal and hence, it is verified to perform any commercial activities.

• MEA Attestation

It stands for the Ministry of External Affairs attestation. This is the last stage of legalization performed by the Union Government’s Home Department. It is identified through the MEA stamp or sticker at the back of the documents. This ministry is important when it comes to dealing with immigration matters.

• Apostille Attestation

This is an alternative of the MEA attestation. Those who are migrating to one of the member countries of the Hague Convention need this legalization of documents. Once it is done, a square-shaped stamp is put on the back of the paper with a signature of the authorised person. After getting it, the applicant does not need further attestation from any department or embassy.

• Embassy Attestation

As reflects from its name, this legalization responsibility is carried out by the embassy of foreign countries like USA or UAE embassy. The consul legalizes all documents after a face-to-face appointment. It covers a detailed interview on why you need to emigrate.

These represent the attestation cycle that one has to follow sequentially. The applicant can easily follow this guide and get through all challenges in getting documents attested here in India.