Certificate Attestation is the formal process of verifying the authenticity and legitimacy of a document so that it can be legally accepted in a foreign country. It confirms that the certificate has been issued by a recognized authority and that the signatures and seals on the document are genuine. Attestation is commonly required for individuals who plan to travel abroad for employment, higher education, business setup, migration, or family sponsorship.
There are different types of certificates that may require attestation, including educational certificates (degree, diploma, transcripts), personal documents (birth certificate, marriage certificate, medical certificate, police clearance certificate), and commercial documents (power of attorney, company registration certificates, invoices, and agreements).
The attestation process generally involves multiple levels of verification. It usually starts with notarization, followed by authentication from the relevant state authority, then attestation by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and finally verification by the embassy or consulate of the destination country. This multi-step process ensures that the document is valid, genuine, and legally recognized internationally.
