SDM attestation
SDM Attestation
SDM stands for Sub-Divisional Magistrate. The SDM's office is a state-level step, like the HRD or the Home Department: after a notary has attested your document, the SDM adds its seal and signature, and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) can attest it. We take your document through each office and return it to you.
- Educational and 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 SDM sits
The chain on the SDM route.
A notary public attests the document first.
SDMThis page
The Sub-Divisional Magistrate adds its seal and signature.
The Ministry of External Affairs confirms the SDM's signature.
The step of the country you are going to.
What the SDM seal looks like
A document from Delhi: a notary, then a Sub-Divisional Magistrate of the Government of NCT of Delhi, then the MEA attestation in New Delhi. Number 2 is the SDM.
Delhi: notary, SDM, MEA
View largerNotary seal
A notary public of Delhi attests the document first: a round seal, the word Attested and an entry number.
Notary attestationSDM seal
The seal of a Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Government of NCT of Delhi, with the signature.
SDM attestationMEA attestation stamp
The Ministry of External Affairs stamp stating that the signature of the District Judge, Sub-Divisional Magistrate or Registrar of Marriage is attested.
MEA attestationMEA seal and officer's stamp
The round seal of the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi, and the stamp of the Section Officer (Attestation), CPV Division.
A real case, shown with the names, numbers and signatures hidden.
Who uses the SDM route?
Anyone taking an Indian document abroad, when the country accepts the SDM as the state step.
Study or a job abroad
SSLC, Plus Two, diploma, degree and higher certificates, for a work visa or an admission.
A family or residence visa
Birth and marriage certificates, to join or sponsor your family.
Work and business papers
Experience and medical certificates, and the documents of a company.
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 signature and stamp. The SDM takes the document after the notary.
Step 4: The SDM attests it
AuthorityThe office of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate adds its seal and signature. Trueway does not control this step. We follow it and send you updates on WhatsApp.
Step 5: 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.
After the SDM and the MEA
Trueway's service list has SDM routes for these countries. The step after the MEA differs.
Then the embassy
- United Arab Emirates
- Qatar
- Kuwait
- Malaysia
Then the MEA Apostille
- Saudi Arabia
- Oman
- Other Apostille Convention countries
Bahrain or another country? Ask us before you send anything: we confirm whether the SDM is accepted.
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.
More videos
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
HRD or SDM
Both are state-level steps for an educational certificate. Which one is accepted depends on the country and the state. We confirm it before you send anything.
HRD attestationThe notary comes first
The SDM attests a document after a notary public has attested it.
Notary attestationHome Department or SDM
For a personal document the state step is the Home Department or the SDM. Which one depends on the country.
Home attestation
Guides
The process, explained in full.
- Educational Certificate Attestation – Everything You Must Know
- Things to know about HRD attestation in Kerala ?
- Saudi Educational Certificate Attestation: Process, Documents and Mistakes to Avoid
- UAE Educational Certificate Attestation – Complete Process, Requirements & Document-Wise Guide
- Apostille Process in Kerala: Notary, SDM and MEA, Step by Step
- Things to keep in mind about Oman Attestation
Google reviews
What clients say about their attestation
Only reviews that mention attestation or apostille are shown here.
GOPIKA KRISHNAN G
Good service..Thank youTrue way team especially ms.Archana for helping and support throughout my certificate attestation process.
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 SDM attestation.
What is SDM attestation?
The office of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate attests your document with its seal and signature. It is a state-level step, like the HRD or the Home Department, and comes after the notary and before the Ministry of External Affairs.
What is the full form of SDM?
Sub-Divisional Magistrate.
HRD or SDM: which one do I need?
Both are state-level steps. Which one is accepted depends on the country you are going to and on the state that issued the certificate. We confirm it before you send anything.
Which documents can take the SDM route?
Educational certificates from SSLC to PhD, and personal documents such as birth, marriage, death, experience and medical certificates.
What comes before and after the SDM?
Before it, a notary public attests the document. After it, the Ministry of External Affairs attests it, then the embassy of the country, or the MEA issues an apostille for a country in the Apostille Convention.
Which documents do I have to give?
The original document and a copy of your passport. For a marriage certificate, the passport copies of husband and wife; for the birth certificate of a minor, the passport copies of the parents.
How long does SDM 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 SDM 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 SDM attestation? Tell us the document
We reply on WhatsApp with the steps and the fee.