Document Attestation is one of those things that you can’t ignore when you are going to another country for specific reasons. When you are moving to a foreign country, you will need to complete various documentation procedures (including personal, educational, and business) based on the reason for moving to another country. One of the most important attestations is birth certificate attestation.
A birth certificate is a crucial document that certifies the birth of a child. It is a legal proof and representation of the ensuing registration of that birth. In simple words, it is official evidence of an individual’s birth, including the names of the parents.
In India, birth certificate attestation can be cumbersome for you as the entire process is time-consuming and the legwork required can be taxing for individuals. Though it might sound simple to get a signature and seal from an authorized designated person/department/authority, it is not so in reality. That’s what birth certificate attestation services are for.
When Do I Need Birth Certificate Attestation?
The birth certificate attestation is usually required when you are:
- Applying to study abroad
- Applying for a family visa to travel for two or more months
- Taking your children abroad along with you
The child will need it in order to take admissions in school and colleges abroad. Therefore, the certificate needs to be attested by the state Home Department.
What is the process of Birth Certificate Attestation in India?
The process of Birth Certificate involves SDM Attestation. SDM attestation means getting your documents attested from the Sub-Divisional Magistrate.
The attestation is done at two levels:
- District Level
- State Level
The attestation process starts by applying for district-level verification and then for the state Home Department verification.
Thereafter, you will need to apply for MEA (Ministry of External Affairs) attestation. After the MEA attestation and verification process is completed, the certificate will be forwarded to the embassy of the country where the candidate wants to move.
Note: If your destination country is a member of the Hague Convention, you will need apostille services rather than attestation services.
Then, you will need MOFA attestation, which is the final step of the attestation process, to obtain a stamp from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the destination country.
What documents are required for Birth Certificate Attestation in India?
Only a few documents are needed to complete the procedure of birth certificate attestation and they are:
- Passport copy
- Visa copy
- Photographs
- Original Certificate
- Authorization Letter
Since your personal documents are the most crucial assets, it is extremely important that you hand them over to a trusted certificate attestation service provider. Always look for companies that have record credibility and reliability. You will find birth certificate attestation service providers online. Carefully choose the one that you can bank upon.