Frequently Asked Questions

Document certification is a broad term people use when referring to steps that establish or authenticate the origin, signature, seal or official status of a document. The precise meaning depends on the procedure being requested.

For overseas use, the process may involve notarisation, authentication by a designated state or departmental authority, MEA apostille or attestation, and possibly embassy or consular legalisation.

The correct route depends on the document, where it was issued, the destination country and the requirements of the organisation receiving it.

Attestation generally refers to an official authentication or endorsement performed by a relevant authority. In the context of Indian documents being prepared for overseas use, the term may refer to one or more stages in a larger legalisation process.

For example, a document may require preliminary authentication before MEA processing, and some destinations may require an additional embassy or consular stage.

An apostille is a certificate issued by a competent authority under the Hague Apostille Convention framework. It authenticates the origin of an eligible public document for use in another country where the Convention applies.

An apostille relates to the authenticity of the signature, the capacity in which the person signing acted and, where applicable, the identity of the seal or stamp. It does not certify the truth or accuracy of the document's contents.

Document legalisation is the process of authenticating a document so that it can be presented for official use in another country.

Depending on the countries and document involved, legalisation may be simplified through an apostille or may require a sequence of authentication and embassy or consular steps.

No. These terms are related, but they do not always describe the same service.

Apostille: A certificate under the Apostille Convention for eligible documents and destinations.

Attestation: A term commonly used for authentication by a relevant authority.

Legalisation: The broader process of authenticating a document for recognition abroad, which may involve several stages.

The wording used by a university, employer, embassy or other recipient may not always make the distinction clear. It is important to check the actual requirement before arranging processing.

A foreign authority or organisation may need assurance about the origin of a document issued in another country. Authentication or legalisation helps establish the authenticity of relevant signatures, seals or official endorsements.

Whether it is required, and which procedure applies, depends on the destination country's rules and the recipient's instructions.

No. An apostille authenticates the origin of the public document in the manner prescribed by the Convention. It does not confirm that the facts, statements, qualifications or other information written in the document are true.

The receiving authority decides whether the document's contents satisfy its requirements.

No. An apostille addresses the authentication of the document's origin. It does not guarantee admission to a university, employment, a visa, immigration approval, professional registration or acceptance for every other purpose.

The receiving organisation or authority remains responsible for deciding whether the document meets its requirements.

Start by identifying the country where you intend to use the document and the organisation requesting it.

India provides apostille services for eligible documents intended for countries where the Apostille Convention applies. MEA normal attestation is used for countries where apostille is not accepted. Some destinations or recipients may require further legalisation or additional steps.

If you are unsure, share the document type, issuing authority, destination country and purpose with QuickCertify. We can help you understand the likely route and identify what should be confirmed.

You do not need to know the technical terminology before contacting us.

Tell us:

What kind of document you have.

Where the document was issued.

Which country you intend to use it in.

Why you need it, such as education, employment, family matters or business.

Any instructions you received from the university, employer, embassy or other recipient.

We can use these details to discuss the possible requirements and next steps.

No. Requirements can vary according to the destination country, the document category, the issuing authority and the intended use.

Some countries accept apostilles for eligible documents. Other situations may require normal attestation or additional legalisation. A receiving organisation may also have its own requirements.

Not automatically. Apostille applies within the framework of the Convention and only where its conditions are met. You should confirm whether the Convention applies between the country where the document originated and the country where it will be used, and whether the recipient requires an apostille.

Whether both are appropriate depends on the destination and the recipient's requirements. Apostille and embassy legalisation are not generally interchangeable steps that should automatically be combined.

Before requesting both, confirm the required route with the recipient or relevant authority. QuickCertify can help you discuss the requirement and identify the steps that need checking.

The document may need to be redirected to a different process, additional steps may be required, or the receiving organisation may not accept it.

That is why we encourage customers to share their destination country and purpose before proceeding. We aim to clarify the likely route before coordinating the agreed service, while recognising that official authorities and recipients make the final decisions.

We can help you understand common authentication routes and discuss the requirements you have been given. However, we cannot make binding decisions on behalf of a university, employer, embassy, immigration authority or other receiving organisation.

Where the instructions are unclear, you should seek confirmation from the organisation that will receive your document.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India, provides apostille services for eligible Indian documents. QuickCertify does not issue apostilles. We provide assistance with understanding and coordinating the applicable processing arrangements.

MEA apostille services cover eligible documents in categories such as personal, educational and commercial documents. Examples may include birth, marriage and death certificates, affidavits, powers of attorney, degrees, diplomas and certain commercial records.

Eligibility and preliminary authentication requirements depend on the document and the applicable procedure.

It may. MEA guidance describes preliminary authentication for documents not covered under e-Sanad. The relevant authentication authority can depend on whether the document is educational, personal, commercial or another category.

The applicable route should be checked for your particular document before submission.

e-Sanad is an MEA initiative for online verification and attestation or apostille of eligible documents. Its availability depends on whether the document and issuing authority are supported through the relevant digital repository and system.

Documents not covered by e-Sanad continue to follow the applicable other procedure.

Do not assume that a photocopy will be accepted. MEA's guidance distinguishes between original documents and true copies and states that it does not legalise ordinary photocopies. The acceptable format depends on the document and applicable requirements.

Tell us whether you have an original, a certified true copy or a digital document so the route can be checked.

Requirements depend on the document and the competent authority. Do not assume that one apostille covers a bundle of unrelated documents. For example, UAE mission guidance specifies that documents apostilled in a bundle are not accepted for its stated process and that each document must be apostilled individually.

Confirm the document-by-document requirements for your destination and service.

Apostilles may be verifiable through the register maintained by the competent authority, where an appropriate register is available. The HCCH explains the role of e-Registers in enabling verification of apostille details.

If a recipient asks to verify an apostille, follow the official verification instructions associated with the issuing authority.

MEA attestation is an authentication service provided by the Ministry of External Affairs for eligible documents intended for use abroad. MEA provides apostille and normal attestation, depending on the applicable route.

MEA apostille is used for eligible documents where the Apostille Convention applies. Normal attestation is used for countries where apostille is not accepted, subject to the applicable requirements.

The destination country and recipient's instructions should be checked before deciding which route to pursue.

MEA's published guidance states that documents for apostille and attestation are submitted through designated outsourced service providers rather than being accepted directly from individuals at the specified MEA counter. Its decentralised arrangements and submission channels should be checked against current official guidance.

QuickCertify can help explain the process and coordinate agreed arrangements, but customers should rely on current official instructions for the authorised submission channel.

MEA states that its legalisation is based on the signatures of designated signing authorities and that it does not take responsibility for the contents of the documents.

The receiving organisation remains responsible for assessing whether the document's contents meet its requirements.

Not necessarily. Depending on the destination country and document, an embassy or consular legalisation step may still be required after MEA processing. Check the applicable requirements before assuming the process is complete.

HRD attestation is a commonly used term for an education-related authentication step associated with a state department or designated authority. The department's name and procedure can vary by state and document type.

MEA guidance indicates that educational documents may require authentication by the designated Education Department of the relevant state or union territory before MEA processing, where that procedure applies.

Not necessarily. Requirements depend on the certificate, issuing institution, state or authority, destination country and applicable procedure.

Do not assume that every degree, diploma, marksheet or school certificate follows the same route. The relevant requirements should be checked before processing.

Depending on the circumstances, documents may include degree certificates, diplomas, school certificates, marksheets, transcripts or other academic records.

The exact documents accepted and the required authentication route must be confirmed for the issuing authority and intended use.

We can help you discuss the likely authentication requirements for your educational documents, identify the details needed for assessment and coordinate the agreed processing arrangements.

You should also check whether your employer, university, licensing body or other recipient has additional document-format or verification requirements.

The issuing authority and the applicable state or departmental procedure may affect the route. Share the name of the university or board, the place of issue and your destination country so the relevant requirements can be investigated before proceeding.

Notarisation is a formal act performed by a notary public within the scope of their authority. Depending on the document and applicable rules, it may involve witnessing a signature, administering an oath or affirmation, or performing another permitted notarial act.

Notarisation alone does not automatically mean a document is ready for use abroad.

Notarisation may be requested for certain affidavits, declarations, powers of attorney, consent documents or other records. Whether it is required depends on the document, its purpose and the recipient's instructions.

If the document is intended for overseas use, further authentication or legalisation may also be required.

SDM stands for Sub-Divisional Magistrate. In some document-processing situations, SDM authentication may be considered as part of a particular route.

It is not a universal requirement or a guaranteed substitute for state authentication, MEA processing or embassy legalisation. Its suitability must be checked for the document and intended destination.

Do not assume that it can. Different authentication routes may serve different purposes, and acceptance depends on the applicable rules and receiving organisation.

The required route should be confirmed before submitting the document.

Not necessarily. Some documents may need to be signed in the presence of a notary or another authorised person. Signing too early could mean the document has to be executed again.

Tell us what type of document you have and whether you have received specific signing instructions. We can help identify what should be checked before you proceed.

Embassy or consular attestation is an additional authentication or legalisation stage that may be required by a destination country. It can follow earlier authentication in the country where the document originated.

The required sequence depends on the destination country, document category and relevant official procedure.

No. Each destination country may have different requirements, document categories, application channels, supporting documents and processing arrangements.

The correct instructions should be checked for the relevant embassy, consulate or foreign authority.

UAE-related attestation is a process for documents intended for use in the United Arab Emirates. The applicable requirements depend on the document and purpose.

UAE MoFA's New Delhi mission guidance describes a digital attestation service for eligible documents issued in India, with prior Indian MEA attestation required for that process. It also specifies document categories and exceptions.

No. UAE mission guidance identifies requirements and exclusions. For example, it directs commercial invoices and certificates of origin to the eDAS process rather than the ordinary document attestation service described on that page.

The current official instructions should be checked for your particular document.

No. QuickCertify can help you understand and coordinate the agreed process, but the official authority determines eligibility, processing and issuance. The receiving organisation decides whether the document is acceptable for its intended purpose.

Chamber of Commerce authentication is a step that may apply to commercial documents intended for international use. MEA guidance states that commercial documents are to be pre-authenticated by the respective Chambers of Commerce as part of the relevant procedure.

Depending on the destination and transaction, examples may include commercial invoices, certificates of origin, business declarations, company records and other commercial documents.

The exact requirements and accepted document types should be checked with the relevant Chamber, authority and receiving organisation.

Not necessarily. The route depends on the document, destination country, transaction and relevant rules. Some documents may have a specific authentication sequence or submission channel.

Confirm the requirement before arranging processing.

We can help you understand the likely authentication route, identify the information and supporting records to prepare, and coordinate the processing arrangements included in the agreed service.

We do not replace the official authority, Chamber or receiving organisation responsible for determining whether a document meets its requirements.

QuickCertify provides document-processing coordination and related assistance for customers who need to understand or arrange apostille, attestation, notarisation-related processing and document legalisation.

We help customers understand the likely requirements, identify the steps that may apply, prepare for the agreed process and coordinate relevant arrangements through applicable authorities or providers.

No. QuickCertify is not a government authority and does not issue official apostilles, government attestations or embassy legalisations.

Those acts are performed by the competent authorities or other authorised bodies responsible for the relevant service.

Depending on your document and the agreed service, we can:

Help you understand the likely authentication or legalisation route.

Explain the information and supporting documents you may need to prepare.

Help identify the relevant authority or processing stage that needs to be checked.

Coordinate agreed document-processing and submission arrangements.

Communicate about the process, next steps and agreed handover arrangements.

Help clarify whether additional destination-country requirements should be investigated.

QuickCertify does not issue government certificates or make official decisions on behalf of authorities. We do not guarantee visa approvals, university admissions, employment, immigration outcomes or acceptance by a receiving organisation.

We also do not represent ourselves as a government office, embassy, consulate or issuing authority.

Step 1 — Share your requirement. Tell us the document type, issuing authority, destination country and intended use.

Step 2 — Discuss the likely route. We help you understand the process that may apply and identify details that need confirmation.

Step 3 — Review the service arrangements. If we can assist, we explain the agreed scope, charges, expected arrangements and any known requirements before proceeding.

Step 4 — Coordinate the agreed processing. We coordinate the applicable arrangements through the relevant channels included in the service.

Step 5 — Communicate and hand over. We provide updates as agreed and arrange the document handover or collection according to the confirmed arrangements.

No. Many customers contact us because they have been told to obtain an apostille or attestation but do not know where to begin.

You can start with the document you have, the country where you need to use it and any instructions you have received. We can help you discuss the likely next steps.

We aim to discuss the document details, intended use and known requirements before confirming the service arrangements. Some requirements may still need verification with an authority or receiving organisation, particularly where rules are document-specific or subject to change.

QuickCertify provides document-processing coordination and related assistance, not legal advice or legal representation. If your situation requires interpretation of law, legal drafting, legal opinions or representation, you should consult a suitably qualified legal professional.

No fixed timeline should be assumed for every document. Processing can depend on the document category, issuing authority, destination-country requirements, completeness of the application, official procedures and other factors outside our control.

Any estimate provided should be treated as an estimate rather than a guarantee, unless a specific written service commitment states otherwise.

No. QuickCertify cannot guarantee acceptance by an embassy, university, employer, immigration authority, professional body or other recipient. Acceptance is determined by the organisation or authority receiving the document.

The cost depends on the document, required stages, applicable official or third-party charges and the agreed service scope.

We should explain the applicable charges and arrangements before proceeding. Do not assume that the official fee alone represents the total cost of a coordinated service.

Yes. You can send an enquiry describing your document and destination country. We can discuss the information needed to understand your requirement and whether it falls within the services we offer.

Please provide, where available:

The type of document.

The issuing authority, university, board or department.

The state or place where the document was issued.

The destination country.

The purpose of use, such as education, employment, family or business.

Any instructions from the receiving organisation.

Whether you have an original, certified copy or digital document.

These details help us discuss the likely process and identify what needs to be confirmed.

It depends on the document and the applicable process. Some procedures require an original document, while others may permit a specified certified copy or digital submission.

Do not send an original until the requirements, submission arrangements and document-handling instructions have been clarified.

No. You should not include passport numbers, Aadhaar numbers or other sensitive identity details in an initial enquiry unless they are specifically requested through an appropriate process.

If identity documentation is required later, confirm what is needed, why it is needed and how it should be submitted securely.

Authentication is not a process for correcting the contents of a document. If you notice an error, contact the issuing authority to understand whether it must be corrected or reissued before authentication.

QuickCertify can help you identify that this issue may need to be resolved, but the issuing authority is responsible for correcting its records.

The effect depends on the document and the authority's requirements. A damaged, altered, illegible or unsuitable document may need to be reviewed by the issuing or receiving authority before processing.

Tell us about the condition of the document before proceeding so that the relevant requirements can be checked.

You can tell us about all the documents you need processed in one enquiry. However, each document may have its own eligibility, authentication route, fees and submission requirements.

Some procedures may require documents to be processed individually. We will need to clarify the applicable arrangements before confirming the service.

The return or collection method should be confirmed as part of the agreed service arrangements. QuickCertify does not promise a delivery method or courier service unless it has been specifically agreed and is actually available for your order.

Please confirm the collection or return arrangements before handing over your documents.

Contact QuickCertify as soon as possible and share the new instructions, avoiding unnecessary sensitive information. We can discuss whether the changed requirement affects the agreed service or whether further confirmation is needed.

Additional steps, charges or processing may be required, depending on the circumstances.

There is no single processing time that applies to every document and route. The time can depend on preliminary authentication, the relevant authority, document verification, destination-country requirements, application completeness and other factors.

Any estimate should be confirmed for the specific service and should not be treated as a guaranteed completion date unless expressly agreed in writing.

No. Official fees, third-party charges and QuickCertify's service charges are separate categories. The total amount, where applicable, depends on the processing route and the services agreed.

We should explain the relevant charges before proceeding. Official fee information should be checked against current authority guidance.

Yes. Delays can arise from document verification, incomplete information, additional requirements, authority processing, public holidays, changes in procedures or other circumstances.

If an estimate is provided, it should be understood as an estimate rather than a guarantee. We will communicate relevant information according to the agreed service arrangements.

Additional requirements may affect the total cost. If the scope changes, the additional steps and charges should be discussed with you before they are undertaken, subject to the applicable service terms.

The next steps depend on the reason for rejection or request. The authority may require additional documents, corrections, a different authentication route or a new submission.

QuickCertify can discuss the issue and help clarify whether further coordination is possible. Any additional service, charge or revised estimate should be explained before proceeding.

Cancellation and refund eligibility depend on the agreed service terms, the stage reached, and any official or third-party charges already incurred. Please contact us as soon as possible if you wish to cancel.

The applicable cancellation and refund terms should be provided before you confirm the service.

Please do not upload or include sensitive identity documents, passport numbers, Aadhaar numbers or other confidential information in the initial contact form.

Start by sharing only the basic details needed to describe your requirement. If further documents are necessary, the appropriate submission method should be discussed separately.

Check the relevant government authority's official website and published instructions. MEA advises applicants not to rely on unauthorised persons or touts for apostille and attestation services.

QuickCertify is a document-processing coordination service, not a government authority. We encourage customers to verify official requirements and use the appropriate official channels.

No. QuickCertify cannot exercise the powers of an issuing authority, government department, embassy, consulate or receiving organisation. Official eligibility, authentication and acceptance decisions belong to the relevant authorities.

No. Document processing and authentication do not guarantee a visa, job offer, admission, immigration decision, professional registration or any other outcome.

These decisions are made by the relevant employer, university, licensing body, immigration authority or other organisation.

QuickCertify does not issue the underlying document and does not certify the truth of its contents. MEA also states that its legalisation is based on designated signatures and that it does not take responsibility for document contents.

Customers should contact the issuing authority if they believe a document contains an error or needs correction.

Confirm the current requirements with the relevant authority and the organisation receiving your document.

Contact QuickCertify with the document type, issuing location, destination country and purpose of use. If you have instructions from the receiving organisation, you can describe or quote the relevant requirement without sharing unnecessary sensitive information.

We can help you understand the likely route and discuss whether the service is something we can assist with.