authenticity of certificates and documents. Many confuse the two because they both authenticate the credibility of documents and signatures. Notarization and Attestation are not the same. They differ in terms of the process, validity, and acceptance. Let’s discuss the differences between notarization vs attestation in depth.
What is Notarization?
Notarization is done by a public notary. Signing the document will take place in front of the notary. This will confirm the authenticity of the signatory and prevent fraud.
Signing and sealing the document after confirming the authenticity of the signatures is how the notary public confirms the credibility. The seal is a silent statement that the notary public has confirmed the validity of the signatures and examined their identity. In some countries, a notary must accompany individuals to complete the formalities.
Notarization is required for documents such as Power of Attorneys (POA), Articles of Associations (AOA), Memorandum of Association (MOA), Affidavits and Sale Deeds. Notarization is not a substitute for attestation.
What is Attestation?
Attestation is a process that involves the authentication of a certificate or document by a third-party who is not directly or indirectly involved in the event. Anyone over the age of eighteen can perform attestation. Attesting a document does not require the presence of a notary. In certain countries, such as India, an attestation by a designated officer is required. The original documents, along with any proofs that may be required (if applicable), must be submitted to the officer in question. The officer will examine the documents and ask for any additional certifications, if necessary. He or she may also sign and seal the document.
The applicant may be required to submit documents attested by government agencies, public companies and other departments. In this case, the certificate attestation in kolkata has to be done by an authorized Gazette Officer. The original document is used or a true copy of it. (Note that in India self-attestation of certain documents is allowed, according to the amendments made by the Government of India).
Attestation of documents and certifications for use in UAE is a completely different scenario. The UAE expats will be required to provide attested documents in order to meet a variety of requirements, including visas, business setup, employment, higher educational qualifications, resident status, and more. MOFA and the competent authorities of the home country must perform the attestation of educational certificates, non-educational certificates, and commercial documents that are requested by the authorities. For documents that will be used within the country.
In the case at issue, the attestation will be performed by the issuing organization in the country of birth, the Ministry of Human Resource Development HRD (or relevant ministry) Ministry of External Affairs MEA/ Ministry of Foreign Affairs MOFA and the UAE embassy/consulate in the home country. This is a daunting and extensive task that will require expert assistance to complete within the time frame.
The process for attestation of certificates in the UAE is dependent on several factors, including the type and department involved in the document and the existing procedure. Only a professional with the necessary knowledge will be able complete the process without unnecessary delays.
Difference between Notarization and Attestation
What is the difference between notarization & attestation? Notarization is a completely different concept from attestation. You can get the attestation done if you only need a witness who will confirm the authenticity of the document. If the authority does not specify otherwise (the procedure for attestation is different when the document/certificate will be used in the UAE). Notarization is only possible with a notary.
The main difference between notarizations and attestations services in India is that notarizations do not confirm the authenticity or validity of the document. It confirms only the signatures of the parties to the document. Notarization is simply a confirmation that the document was signed in front of the notary. An attestation, however, substantiates the authenticity of the document. It can’t be used as a substitute for attestation, or vice versa.
What is the Attestation Process
The attestation process involves a series of steps to verify the authenticity and legality of documents. While the specific requirements and procedures may vary depending on the type of document and the country in which the attestation is needed, the general process typically includes the following steps:
Document Preparation:
- Ensure that the document is complete and accurate. This may involve obtaining notarization or other preliminary steps depending on the type of document.
Local Attestation:
- In some cases, documents may need to be attested at the local or state level before proceeding to higher authorities. This could involve authentication by a notary public or other designated local authority.
Home Department Attestation:
- Certain documents, especially those related to education and personal certificates, may require attestation from the home department of the state where the document was issued. This step is aimed at verifying the authenticity of the document at the state level.
MEA Attestation:
- The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is often involved in the attestation process for documents intended for use abroad. After state-level attestation, the document is submitted to the MEA for further verification.
Embassy Attestation:
- For international use, the document may need to be attested by the embassy or consulate of the country where it is intended to be used. This step is crucial for obtaining recognition and acceptance of the document in a foreign jurisdiction.
Final Attestation:
- Depending on the country’s requirements, there might be additional steps, such as attestation by the foreign affairs department of the destination country or other relevant authorities.
It’s crucial to note that the specific requirements and procedures can vary widely between countries, and the type of document being attested (educational certificates, personal documents, commercial documents, etc.) may influence the process. Therefore, individuals seeking attestation services should carefully follow the guidelines provided by the relevant authorities and seek assistance from professional attestation services if needed.