Frequently Asked Questions

1) What is document attestation?

Document attestation is the process of certifying a document’s authenticity so it will be accepted by foreign authorities or institutions. Depending on the destination country and document type, this can include notarization, apostille certification, consular legalization, and certified translation.

2) What is the difference between an apostille and consular/legalization?

Apostille: A simplified single-certification process used between countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. It is issued by a designated authority in the document’s country of origin.

Consular/legalization: For countries not party to the Hague Convention, documents must be legalized through the destination country’s embassy or consulate (often after several domestic authentications).

3) Which documents typically require attestation?

Common personal documents: birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, police clearance certificates (PCC), academic transcripts and diplomas, powers of attorney, and identity documents.

Common corporate documents: articles of incorporation, board resolutions, certificates of good standing, notarized contracts, and signatures of corporate officers.

4) Do I need originals or are photocopies acceptable?

Requirements vary. Some processes (e.g., apostille) generally require original documents or certified copies issued by the issuing authority. Photocopies are often insufficient. We’ll confirm the exact requirements in your quote.

5) How long does attestation take?

Turnaround depends on document type, issuing authorities, and destination country. Typical ranges:

  - Apostille (Hague countries): 1–7 business days

  - Embassy/consular legalization (non‑Hague): 1–4 weeks

We’ll provide a specific timeline when we review your documents.

6) How much does attestation cost?

Costs depend on the document type, required services (notary, apostille, embassy/legalization, translation), and courier/shipping. We provide transparent, itemized quotes after you submit your documents.

7) Do you provide translations and are they required?

Yes. We offer certified and notarized translations. Many foreign authorities require translations by accredited translators; we will confirm the language and certification standards for your destination.

8) What countries require an apostille vs consular legalization?

Hague Convention members accept apostilles. Non-member countries require consular/legalization. Country lists change; we verify the correct route for your destination.

9) Can you handle corporate document attestation?

Yes. We handle articles of incorporation, board resolutions, powers of attorney, certificates of incumbency, and other corporate documents, including notarization, state-level verification and embassy/legalization where required.

10) What if a government office needs to re‑issue or correct a document?

Some documents must be reissued by the original issuing authority if information is incorrect or if originals were not properly certified. We assist with document retrieval and liaising with issuing agencies when needed.

11) Is there a validity period for an attested document?

Validity is set by the receiving authority or the destination country’s rules. For example, police clearances often must be issued within 3–6 months. We’ll advise the required validity for your purpose.

12) Can you pick up and return original documents?

Yes. We offer insured pickup and tracked international courier return. Local pickup options depend on your location.

13) What happens if an embassy rejects a document?

Rejections are usually due to incorrect formatting, missing apostilles, or insufficient translations. We perform pre-checks to minimize risk; if a rejection occurs, we will advise corrective steps and provide an updated quote for any additional work.

14) How do I start the attestation process?

Submit scanned copies of your documents through email or WhatsApp. Contact us to schedule a pickup. We’ll assess the documents and send a detailed quote with required steps and timelines.

15) Are my documents and personal details kept confidential?

Absolutely. We follow strict privacy and data‑protection practices: secure file transfer, limited access, and insured courier services for physical documents.

16) Can you handle country-specific requirements (e.g., HRD, MOFA, embassy attestations)?

Yes. We have experience with country- and institution-specific procedures (Ministries of Education/HRD, Ministries of Foreign Affairs, embassy consular processes) and will follow the exact sequence required by the destination.

17) What documents do I need for educational attestation (transcripts/diplomas)?

Usually original diplomas and transcripts or certified true copies issued by the university, plus notarization and apostille/consular legalization as required by the destination. Some countries also require authentication by the home country’s education ministry.

18) Do you provide tracking and status updates?

Yes. We provide secure online tracking and proactive status updates at each major step, from intake through dispatch.

19) What if I need documents legalized for multiple countries?

We can coordinate multi‑jurisdictional legalization, but requirements differ by country. Submit all destination details so we can prepare an accurate plan and quote.

20) Can you notarize documents on my behalf?

We work with licensed notaries and can facilitate notarization where permitted. Notarization often precedes apostille or consular legalization.

21) Will attestation make my document “legal” everywhere?

Attestation confirms authenticity for the destination country or institution specified. Acceptance is determined by the receiving authority; attestation does not guarantee acceptance in all jurisdictions beyond the stated destination.

22) Do you assist with translations for non‑Latin scripts (e.g., Arabic, Chinese)?

Yes. We provide certified translations for a wide range of languages and ensure they meet embassy or institution requirements.

23) What if I lose my attested document in transit?

Shipments are insured.

24) Do you offer refunds or cancellations?

Our refund policy depends on the stage of processing and any third‑party fees already incurred (notary, government office, embassy). We will provide full policy details in your service agreement and handle cancellations case‑by‑case.

Important note: Specific attestation steps and requirements vary by country, document type and receiving institution. The answers above are general guidelines — contact us with your documents and destination for an exact, binding checklist.