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Certificate attestation refers to verifying if a document is genuine or not by getting a stamp or signature from a government authority or authorized organization. This is important for documents like certificates or legal papers that need to be used in other countries. The purpose of certificate attestation is to make sure that the document is valid in the foreign country where it will be used.
The ultimate aim of certificate attestation is that the certificate or document is legally accepted in the foreign country. For it, the process involves steps like notarization, authentication, and legalization, and may vary depending on the country. The stamp from the embassy or MEA is a special stamp called an Attestation for Certificate, which shows that the document has been verified.
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How To Get Attested Document?
To get your documents attested, you need to go through a process that involves getting them legalized from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) India and the Embassy. The attestation stamp is a way of verifying that your certificate is genuine. Legalization by the MEA or the respective Embassy is mandatory for the certificate legalization process when you want to use your documents abroad. The motive can be applying for study visa, marriage with a foreign partner, change of status, etc.
Different countries follow different verification requirements and policies, which can make the process more complex. You need to make sure that your certificates have the appropriate stamp, either from the MEA or the embassy, to be recognized by foreign governments for things like employment, study, or business.
Why Certificate Attestation required?
Certificate attestation is all about authenticating originality and validity of a certificate for official and legal purposes. It involves a designated authority checking the signature, stamp, and seal on the certificate to ensure that it is not duplicate, but genuine. Besides, there are many reasons, conveying that this legalization is necessary:
1. Job Purposes
Legalization is mainly needed for job purposes, which confirms that the person holds authentic educational documents, and they state original academic details on their certificates. This is important to ensure that the person has the required knowledge and skills for the job they are applying for.
2. Education Purposes
Legalization of certificates is needed if students want to pursue their study abroad. This authentication proves that their academic qualification is original.
3. Immigration Purposes
For immigration purposes also, it is necessary to confirm that the individual has requisite documents and certificates in original. If he or she has, going abroad becomes easier and smoother.
4. Business Purposes
Various businesses and companies may need commercial visa to establish their credibility and authenticity of companies’ documents.
In the nutshell, this practice of attestation helps in coming across fraud and also, ensures that the papers with the individual are genuine. So, he automatically becomes trusted and credible.
What documents are needed for attestation?
To get any immigration-based paper, the original document is needed with an attestation stamp from the respective Embassy or MEA.
But if the documents are commerce-based, a photocopy of the document can be stamped. Personal documents like passports and citizen IDs (Aadhar card, let’s say) require attestation, and for commercial documents, a cover letter on company letterhead is needed.
How Long Does The Attestation Process Take Time?
This process is a long and involves multiple steps. Because there are many processes involved, it can take around a month. However, it completely depends on the type and place of the document.
There is another way to get rid of hassles, which is to hire a consultant for NRIs.
How to legalize the documents in India?
Getting documents attested is a daunting task, which involves several stages to pass through. This includes ensuring attestation from local officials, state government, and central government.
In essence, the type of documents helps in deciding which process to follow.
Attesting Educational Certificate
If you need your academic documents to be attested, hire a consultant or S2NRI or at least consult with a legal advisor in order to know what process to follow and where to get them legalized. It mainly involves the authentication of school and high school or varsity degrees, scorecard or marksheet, provisional certificates and grad or master’s degrees. A transcript may also be required if your documents are in the native language.
Besides, getting your student or employment visa is a must through embassy of your country.
HRD or City Office Attestation (Higher Education Department)
To use personal documents like birth, marriage, death certificates, and more in a foreign country, you need to get them legalized by the respective embassy. This process confirms the validity of your documents, and your identity overseas. After attestation, it is proven that your personal documents are genuine and legally recognized by the foreign country's Ministry of External Affairs.
- Notary & SDM/Home Department Attestation
- Foreign Ministry or External Affairs Ministry
- Final Attestation from The respective Embassy
Attestation Procedure for Commercial Documents
If you want to start a business or export goods overseas, you need to get your commercial documents attested by the respective Embassy. For it, you should have these documents attested- invoices, registration certificates, power of attorney, articles of association, and certificate of origin. Legalization of these documents is mandatory for legal purposes in every country, and it is important to get them attested to conduct your business smoothly.
- Chamber of Commerce Attestation
- Attestation from Ministry of External Affairs
- Final Attestation from The respective Embassy
Conclusion
Getting documents attested from a country involves a multistep process that verifies the authenticity and validity of the certificate. The attestation process includes obtaining stamps from local officials, state government, and central government, and the respective embassy or MEA stamp. Personal documents such as educational certificates, marriage certificates, birth certificates require embassy attestation, while commercial documents such as invoices, certificates of origin, and packing lists need to be attested by the respective embassy for overseas business or exports. The time limit for attestation depends on the document type and issued place, but fast-track options are available.