Notarization vs Attestation: What’s the Difference and When Do You Need Each?
Written by: Admin Posted On: 2025-06-24 09:39:07
When dealing with legal, academic, immigration, or business matters, you may come across the terms notarization and attestation. While they are often used interchangeably, they serve different purposes in document verification. Understanding the difference between notarization and attestation can help you avoid delays, especially when submitting documents for visa applications, international employment, or study abroad programs.
In this blog post, we’ll break down what each term means, when you need them, and how they work in both local and international settings.
What is Notarization?
Notarization is the official act of a notary public verifying the authenticity of a document, signature, or identity of the person signing. It’s often required for documents like: Power of attorney, Affidavits, Declarations, Property agreements,etc.
The notary public ensures that the person signing is doing so willingly and is aware of the contents of the document. Once confirmed, the notary stamps or seals the document.
Notarized documents are commonly required for domestic use or for the initial stage of document verification when preparing for international processes.
What is Attestation?
Attestation, on the other hand, is a more extensive process used to verify the authenticity of a document for use in a foreign country. It involves multiple levels of verification from different government authorities. It is usually required for documents like degree certificates, birth certificates, etc. For example, most Middle Eastern countries require degree certificate attestation before they process work visa applications.
A document may need to be attested by a local notary, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in your home country, the embassy or consulate of the destination country.
Attested documents are often required for:
- Work visas
- Student visas
- Residency permits
- International business contracts
In conclusion, understanding the difference between notarization and attestation can save you time, stress, and money. If you’re dealing with international documentation, ensure you have your papers notarized and attested correctly.
Need help notarizing or attesting your documents? Our team of experts can guide you through every step of the process, whether you're preparing for international travel, employment, or study.