Document Attestation
Document attestation is a process by which documents are authenticated for official use in another country. This paperwork could include anything from personal documents, such as a degree or marriage certificate, to business documents, like invoices and contracts.
Attestation may also be known as legalisation, authentication, stamping, verification, or certification. If you need to get a document attested, you must ensure that you follow the appropriate processes set out by the relevant embassy for each type of document. If they are not authenticated correctly, they will not be accepted when you go to use them abroad.
GulfVisa are registered with the FCO (British Foreign Ministry), which allows us to complete document attestations on behalf of our clients.
How document attestation works
Documents that require attestation must first be attested by a solicitor (some exclusions apply), and then the FCO. Once this has been completed, the relevant embassy—in the UK—required can verify the document, allowing it to be used in the country you’re travelling to.
Documents that will require attestation include:
- Degrees/educational certificates
- Birth/death certificate
- Marriage/divorce certificate
- Adoption certificate
- Court/ACRO police documents
- Passport
- Driving license
- Financial documents
While many documents will need to be stamped by a solicitor as the first step to attestation, there are some types which are exempt. Documents that do not require a solicitor’s verification include:
- Original UK birth/death certificate
- Original UK marriage certificate
- Original UK police clearance certificate (ACRO only)
- Original UK medical report signed by a UK doctor
For UK doctors to sign a medical report for attestation, they must first be registered with the FCO Legislation Department. Otherwise, their document signing will be considered void.
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Popular Embassies for Document Attestation
Why choose Gulfvisa?
Getting documents verified and attested can be a long and tedious task, and unless you’re familiar with the process, there is plenty of room for mistakes to occur.
Here at GulfVisa, our team are experts in getting documents attested the right way. We do everything on your behalf, including all administration, presenting, and delivery, to ensure everything is completed in a timely manner.
We know the process:
Document attestation is one of our core services, so we know the ins and outs of the entire process. This leaves much less room for error, and ensures that your documents are attested and verified on their first application, rather than leaving you to face any problems and having to repeat the process again.
We save you time:
Our team is available to walk you through the exact process you need to follow, leaving no room for mistakes. All you need to do is supply us with the documents you need attested, along with any supporting documents, and leave the rest to us. This means you don’t need to spend time filling out forms and chasing solicitors and the FCO for verification.
We save you money:
If you opt to complete the attestation process yourself, but live far from one of the international embassies in London, you will need to pay for travel and may even need overnight accommodation as well. Choosing our attestation service saves you this hassle, while getting the process done properly—all you need to do is post your documents to us directly. Get in touch with our team for more information.
