Document Attestation locally: What You Need to Know

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What is document attestation?

Attestation is the process of verifying that a document is genuine and has been properly issued. Certain documents must be attested by specific authorities before they can be used for official purposes — visa applications, court submissions, government filings and more.

When do you need attestation?

• Employment visas — Educational certificates often need attestation before a work permit is issued.
• Company formation — Certain corporate documents require attestation before registration.
• Court proceedings — Foreign documents submitted to courts must be attested.
• Property transactions — Documents related to property purchase or transfer may require attestation.
• Education — degree equivalency requires attested educational certificates.

The attestation chain

Depending on the document and where it will be used, the attestation chain may include:

1. Home country attestation — The document is verified by the issuing authority in your home country.
2. Embassy attestation — The Embassy in your home country verifies the document.
3. official attestation — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs locally provides the final attestation.

Some documents — like those originating locally — may only need official attestation, skipping the first two steps.

How long does it take?

official attestation alone typically takes 1–2 working days. Full chains involving home country attestation can take 1–3 weeks depending on the country and the authorities involved.

The most common mistake is submitting documents for attestation without first checking whether they need translation. Documents not in the local language or English usually need certified translation before the attestation process can begin.

Need documents attested? Send them to us for a free review — we'll advise the full chain, timeline and cost before starting.