Notary attestation
Notary Attestation
A notary public attests your document with a seal, the word "Attested", an entry number and a signature. For a document going abroad it is the first step: the state attests the document after the notary, then the Ministry of External Affairs. We arrange the notary and take your document on to each office.
- The first step for personal documents
- Fee confirmed before you start
- Updates on WhatsApp
Notice: Trueway provides independent documentation support and is not affiliated with any council, embassy or government authority.
Where the notary sits
The chain for a personal document.
NotaryThis page
A notary public attests the document.
The Home Department or the SDM.
The Ministry of External Affairs confirms the seal of the state.
The step of the country you are going to.
What a notary seal looks like
The back of an attested degree certificate. Number 1 is the notary: a round seal, the word Attested, an entry number and a signature. The SDM and the MEA come after it.
The Indian seals
View largerNotary seal
A notary public attests the document first: a round seal, the word Attested, an entry number and a signature.
Notary attestationSDM seal
The office of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate adds its seal and signature. For some countries and documents this step is the HRD or the Home Department of the state.
SDM attestationMEA sticker and seal
The Ministry of External Affairs confirms the signature of the SDM: a numbered sticker, the round seal and the signature of the officer.
MEA attestation
Who needs notary attestation?
Anyone whose document starts its chain with a notary.
Personal documents
Birth, marriage, death, experience and medical certificates, before the Home Department or the SDM.
Certificates on the SDM route
An educational certificate that takes the notary and SDM route instead of the HRD.
A visa or a move abroad
The country you are going to asks for the whole chain; the notary is its first seal.
How we handle it
Who does what, from your first message to the attested document.
Step 1: Tell us the document and the country
YouWe confirm the offices, the fee and the expected time for your case before you send anything.
Step 2: We collect your documents
TruewayThe original document and a passport copy, at a branch or by courier. We check names, dates and seals before anything is submitted.
Step 3: The notary attests it
AuthorityA notary public adds a seal, the word "Attested", an entry number and a signature.
Step 4: The next office, or back to you
TruewayWe take the document on to the next office if you need it, or return it to you at a branch or by courier.
Documents required
From Trueway's working checklist. Your exact list is confirmed after your enquiry.
Watch: the attestation process explained
Our team explains the whole chain: notary, state, MEA, apostille and embassy.
Certificate Attestation & Embassy Attestation Explained | Complete Process |MEA, Apostille & Embassy
Trueway International on YouTube · 10 min 13 s. The video loads from YouTube when you press play.
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What does it cost?
Connect with the Trueway team for the fee. It depends on the document, the state that issued it and the country it is for. We confirm it on WhatsApp, together with the expected time, before you decide.
Ask the team for the feeGood to know
The first seal, not the last
For a document going abroad the notary is only the first step. The MEA takes a document only with the seal of the state, which comes after the notary.
Then the state
After the notary, the Home Department or the SDM attests the document. Which one depends on the country.
SDM attestationOn the original
The seals are placed on the original document, so the original has to be submitted.
Guides
The process, explained in full.
- Complete Guide to Home Department Attestation for Indians Travelling Abroad
- Home Department Attestation for Couples: Marriage Certificate & Spousal Visa Applications
- How to Apostille Your Birth Certificate and Marriage Certificate for a Spouse Visa — Complete Guide
- How to Attest a Marriage Certificate for a UAE Visa: A Complete Guide
- Common Mistakes to Avoid During Embassy Attestation
Google reviews
What clients say about their attestation
Google reviews that mention attestation or the apostille.
GOPIKA KRISHNAN G
Good service..Thank youTrue way team especially ms.Archana for helping and support throughout my certificate attestation process.
Abishek S Kumar
Thank you senior customer relations manager of trueway international Mary Jami mam for helping me getting my Saudi PCC and also it's MOFA Apostilation. Very very helpful.
Adv. Stephy Walter
I had a very smooth experience with Trueway International for my certificate attestation. Special thanks to Mary Jemi for her support and guidance throughout the process. Everything was handled quickly and professionally. Highly recommended!
Reviews from Google, shown as written by the reviewers.Read all reviews on Google
Got questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers about notary attestation.
What does notary attestation mean?
A notary public attests the document with a seal, the word "Attested", an entry number and a signature. For a document going abroad it is the first step of the chain.
Who is a notary public?
A person appointed by the Government of India or a state government under the Notaries Act, 1952, to attest documents.
Which documents need a notary first?
Personal documents such as birth, marriage, death, experience and medical certificates, before the Home Department or the SDM. An educational certificate on the SDM route also starts with a notary.
Is notary attestation enough for a document going abroad?
No. After the notary come the state (the Home Department or the SDM), the Ministry of External Affairs, and the embassy of the country or the apostille.
Which documents do I have to give?
The original document and a copy of your passport. Your exact list is confirmed after your enquiry.
How long does notary attestation take?
It depends on the document, the state that issued it and the country it is for. We tell you the expected time for your case before you start, and send updates on WhatsApp.
What does notary attestation cost?
Connect with the Trueway team on WhatsApp. The fee depends on the document, the state that issued it and the country it is for, and we confirm it before you decide.
Is Trueway part of the HRD, the MEA or an embassy?
No. Trueway provides independent documentation support and is not affiliated with any council, embassy or government authority.
Need notary attestation? Tell us the document
We reply on WhatsApp with the steps and the fee.