FAQ About Attestation and Apostille

This section covers the most frequently asked questions about Attestation and Apostille, Legalization of documents. As many people have a lot of question and confusion regarding Attestation and Apostille process and its documentation, hence in this article we have answered some of the most FAQ’s what client inquire.

1) What is an Apostille and when do I need one?

An Apostille is the legalization of a document for international use, where a certificate is issued by the designated authorized department as per the specification of the Foreign country where you want to visit. An apostille is done for the country that participates under Hague Convention, nearly 118 nations that require Apostille convention.

2) What is Hague Convention?

Hague Abduction Convention is a multilateral treaty. As verification of a document is very time taking process, hence to make easy and hassle-free several nations and countries joined hand and formed a Convention in 1961 called Hague Convention. The countries that fall under this convention do not need particular embassy attestation of the country where you are planning to visit. There are 118 countries that are under Hague. 

3) What is Attestation and why it is done?

Attestation is the process of checking the authenticity of original documents/ certificates by attaching the signature of the verifying department. It is a general process that is required for every person who wants to visit another country, whichever country you belong (India, USA, Sri Lanka).

4) What is the general process involved in Attesting a document from India? 

The general process involved in legalizing or attesting the document is the submission of Xerox of the passport with the original documents as per the requirement of the country where you wish to travel, required documents may differ from country to country.

1. Notary
2. Home Department (Home department of states)
3. Ministry of External Affairs.

The process will vary depending on the various countries as per their rules and the norms of the country. For example, UAE attestation has two more additional step authentication at the UAE embassy attestation in India (country you belong) and after this, it further undergoes Authentication by Ministry of Foreign Affairs in UAE (MOFA)

5) What if my certificate is laminated? 

How these documents are verified.Attestation, the process of verification of the document is must, However, If your documents are laminated, we are required to remove the lamination of the document as the verification seal or stamp will be put on the document and certificates not valid over lamination. In some cases there are some countries that want the attestation stamp at the backside of the documents or certificate hence, the removal of lamination is needed during legalization of documents.

6) How do you ensure the safety of original document?

We understand your concerns about your original documents and we know how important the documents are, therefore at PEC our professionals and highly vetted team take care of your original documents, we take every measure to keep safe and privacy of your documents.

7) How much time and cost is needed for complete attestation process?

It completely depends on type of attestation and the country from where you want your attestation to be done. Time and the cost for the attestation vary, as every country has its own time and fee structure to deliver the documents. You should ask your attestation expert at the time of application.

8) If I am applying for employment visa what all document do I need? 

However, this should be first confirmed by the employer as it depends upon the nature and the category of the employment for which the applicant applied for. Normally only the highest qualification education document is required to be attested for the employment visa.

9) What all document needed, If I am applying for the student visa?

For student visa, the applicant has to apply to HRD department for the verification of educational document. As all educational certificates and marksheets like 10th and 12th are needed for higher education purpose abroad. For more detail read HRD attestation for Educational documents

10) If I have already done the HRD and MEA attestation do I require it again? 

No, if you have already had attestation done from HRD or MEA the applicant does not have to apply again. Since it is done for the lifetime as the document has already been authenticated now. You only require attestation from the embassy for the country you are applying.

PEC provides attestation and apostille services in major cities of India.